I grew up in a house with a piano. Both our mom and her visiting mother, Gramma Daum, played often. When I was in the first grade, Mom enrolled me in piano lessons with the one available piano teacher in all of 1960s unincorporated Wilsonville. Mrs. Boeckman, (yes, related to Boeckman Road and Boeckman Creek … Continue reading Aging, Gifting and Moving On: A Story About Pianos
Cars have never been particularly special to me, other than their ability to transport me from point A to B. I bought my first car at 24, relying on bus, bike, or a friend or family member's car prior to that. Early in our relationship I remember Russ quizzing me on the model or even … Continue reading Unexpected Currents (Or What About That Car?)
Yes, as I post this I recognize today is 911. A day that anyone who was alive in 2001 will remember, even if a child, then. A day that changed so much and took away so many lives and livelihoods, and compassion for some. I won't forget the morning as I was about to start … Continue reading A Love Letter to Libraries
I recently chatted with my nephew about friends and social challenges in high school, sharing my own decades ago experience at Lincoln High School. Yes, back then I did feel like a new kid, having moved into the district in the middle of eighth grade and not yet making close friends before entering the matrix … Continue reading Finding My People as a Social Floater
Last year I challenged myself to visit as many local bookstores as possible via e-bike during Portland Book Week. I was glad I could draw on some power to carry those books I bought up the hills as I headed home. I had no intention to buy an ebike back then. After all, I was … Continue reading Eight Years on Two Electric Wheels
Now that I have your attention, I'm sorry to burst your bubble. I am not here to share fine secrets about blowing your book or your bank account out of the water. Rather to tease into this idea. It often happens as I peruse various author groups on social media, I see someone newer to … Continue reading Making it BIG as an Author
Lausanne Hall at Willamette University. While this building was built in 1920, it replaced the original 1880 building identified to serve as the school's Women's College. That original building was our third great grandparent's house, moved from its original location at the corner of Salem's Capitol and Court Streets. Lausanne was the name of the … Continue reading Willamette University and the Fate of Perpetual Scholarships
Photo credit and article: Housecall Providers. After visiting John one day, I was compelled to write the piece below. Although I read it to my writing group and shared it with Housecall Providers, I refrained from editing it much as, after all, it was just for me, direct from my heart. Today, the time feels … Continue reading My New Friend: A Tribute
I rarely enter writing contests, but the one celebrating the Astoria Column's first one hundred years spoke to me. After all, I have a model of it in with other keepsakes in my ancestral altar. I've mentioned the column in all three of my works of fiction and my first memoir. It meant a lot … Continue reading Writing and the Astoria Column’s Centennial Celebration
Yeah, I've said it before and likely again. It takes a lot to shut up both my inner voice and brain. Even when I come off propofol, apparently, as I did after last week's colonoscopy. I asked my daughter (the PA who works in a CICU) later if most people are chatty after. I'm sure … Continue reading Hearts on Call: Compassion, Overload, and their Costs