page contents Google

UNGROUNDED LIFE IN TIGARD

December 6, 2022 by

An ungrounded life is for people who wish they were somewhere besides where they are, where they live, where they spend their time. I met one of them in the local Walgreens. I could tell he was ungrounded by how he looked. He was wearing a suit, which from my experience, was his work clothes.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

SHARING BLAME FOR AIR QUALITY: YOU’RE NOT THE PROBLEM?

October 21, 2022 by

Sharing blame requires a pointy finger to wag. Something happens, plans go sideways, and instead of fun you find disappointment. You could move on, but what about the unfinished business? First you need to assign blame. Get that finger ready.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

LEAVING PORTLAND IN 1974

September 8, 2022 by

Leaving Portland in 1974 was quite memorable. Memorable departures usually have a location in mind. I was headed to Fort Ord, California and the All-Volunteer Army on September 6, 1974. What was I thinking?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NURTURING YEARS, OR CHECKING OUT

August 23, 2022 by

Nurturing years change over time. From the duties of planting and raising nasturtiums in third grade, to raising kids in your thirties, the stakes rise. Then everyone grows up and no longer need nurturing? No, that’s not how it works.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CHEKHOV’S UNLOADED GUN ON THE WALL

May 26, 2022 by

After gun safety class, there’s no such thing as an unloaded gun until you check it out yourself. Check the bolt, the magazine, the barrel, and check it while it’s pointed away from anyone. And away from yourself. Chekhov’s unloaded gun is a different deal.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CLOUDY DAYS TAKE A SHORT BREAK

May 20, 2022 by

Cloudy days in Oregon? How can that be? Where I grew up no one complained about the rain. If they did that would have been all they talked about. There’s more going on than cloudy days, but what do you do when all you see are clouds?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

CARRICK FLYNN FROM VERNONIA

May 16, 2022 by

Carrick Flynn is getting the youth vote out. Out in the wilds of Bull Mountain you wouldn’t expect to meet the next generation stumping for their favorite congressional candidate, but there we were. Carrick Flynn is their man. After our talk next to the llamas and chickens and Frosty the horse, Carrick Flynn collected more […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , ,

DRAWING LINES TO LIVE BY?

April 25, 2022 by

Who is drawing lines to live by? Picasso did. Unfortunately, you’re no Picasso, I’m no Picasso, so why bother? We bother with lines and borders for a sense of control like, “Don’t go there, girlfriend.” The big Question Of The Day: Who draws borders when they’re on the same side of the line you’re on?

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PRISON TIME DOESN’T WORK FOR EVERYONE

March 19, 2022 by

If you do prison time, what are you supposed to learn? Is education even part of the sentence, or is it a waiting game? People I know have been to prison. One of them twice. Three times is a bigger problem in some states. Oregon has its own sentencing guideline grid.

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

DAILY WALK CLEARS THE MIND? “PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS? A FRANC?”

January 22, 2022 by

A daily walk in Paris is different than a walk in Tigard, Oregon. This man is walking toward the Invalides. The Pont Alexandre III bridge is behind him and connects the Invalides on the Left Bank to the Grand Palais and Petit Palais museums on the Right Bank. I saw him and thought, ‘This is […]

Filed Under: What's Up Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,