The original building of the Oregon Institute. Completed in 1844, the building was destroyed by fire in 1872. Yes, maybe I think too much about my family and its long-ago stories. But it was impossible for me to read the news about the possible merger of Oregon's Willamette and Pacific Universities, without my brain digging … Continue reading Merging Oregon’s Oldest Universities: A New Era Ahead?
Just hanging out in my closet, reading to myself. Yes, for some time I've wanted to narrate an audiobook version of My Music Man. Several of the first readers of this book, when it was released in 2017, told me it felt like they had been in conversation with me while they read. Others asked … Continue reading Releasing My Music Man, the Audiobook!
In 1864 my third great grandparents were sent the land deed for their Oregon property. All 640 acres, officially divided between Chloe Clark Willson and William Holden Willson at today's Salem's State Street. William died in 1856, and never saw the official document signed by President Abraham Lincoln. Although I've written about this here and … Continue reading Land Ownership: From Land Claims to High Water Marks
Checking out the ducks at the confluence of Sucker Creek with the Willamette River. Sucker Creek flows out of Lake Oswego. The first thing that enters my mind when I think about Lake Oswego's lake is knowing my grandparents paddled it by canoe on their first date on July 15, 1925. They both lived in … Continue reading About Sucker Lake; I mean Oswego.
Watercolor sketch of the ship Lausanne painted by missionary Hamilton Campbell during his journey by ship from New York to Oregon in 1839. Oregon Historical Society Archives. East Coast travels fills me with a profound awareness of the newness of the state and region I come from. That is, from the standpoint of non-Indigenous peoples. … Continue reading The Gift of Discovery: Reflections on Travel and History
Chloe Aurelia Clarke Willson (1818-1874) Last year my writing group gave me a writing assignment. Interview my 3rd Great Grandmother Chloe Clarke Willson. Naturally, since Chloe died in 1874, this would necessarily be a creative piece unless I suddenly discover divine powers previously unknown to me. My friends probably also suspected it would be a … Continue reading Hello 3rd Great Grandma: an interview
Maybe it's the change of season or my nearing birthday. Or it's my friend who moved into a tiny house, and anticipates deciding whether to hold on or release the stuff collected in her life. Or is it a dear friend's cancer diagnosis or missing my parents? Whatever its determinant, I feel a newer sense … Continue reading Tumbling through time
Earlier this summer I was invited by the West Linn Public Library and the West Linn Alliance to participate in an interview for a time capsule project called "Celebrate our Stories." Because the interviews were done on the same day, but not as part of the City's Juneteenth Event, I wasn't certain I would participate. … Continue reading Pondering privilege
The Lausanne Last week I traveled from Portland to Boston enjoying the speed of 2022 travel, even though we may sometimes complain about security check lines, COVID concerns and lack of legroom. During this eleven-day journey to the Northeastern U.S., part vacation and part work, it has been impossible for me not to think about … Continue reading From Northeast to West, now and then
I try not to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of books I want to read. It doesn't help that I continue to regularly pick up new reading material from my local library and favorite bookstores. I have piles of books ahead of the newer ones I select, silently apologizing to those I relegate to … Continue reading Digging for roots
Dede's Books and blog 