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

I was gifted a copy of Washington Irving's 1836 Astoria from my friend Laurie. Although I have read Peter Stark's more recent book by the same name, I always meant to read this original volume. Given that my dad and grandfather were Pacific Northwest historians, it might seem a bit surprising I didn't already have … Continue reading Time traveling to the secrets of our past: Part 1

For most of the past thirty years, Russ and I have shared an inside joke about cleaning out our garage. It started as a serious proposal, our pile of stuff was growing! With neither attic or basement, into the garage it went. As other accumulators know, this stockpile includes the not yet ready to give … Continue reading About that marble table (or what about all that stuff?)

It's not like I woke up thinking yesterday would be the day to hang out in a cemetery. I did plan to take the day off, overwhelmed by stress related to work these past few weeks. A good day to take a hike, work in the yard, or take a bike ride. I miss commuting … Continue reading Pedaling between headstones

Dear readers, perhaps you have thought I've written enough about J.K. Gill over the past years? Certainly I dedicated parts of several chapters of my memoir to this great-great-grandfather of mine, including a chapter aptly titled Books. If you are new to these ramblings, though, you might first catch up with this 2019 blog, J.K. … Continue reading The J.K. Gill Building renewed

For much of my life February 14 meant Valentine's Day. During childhood we would cover shoeboxes with construction paper and red hearts, cut a slit on top and arrive at school armed with the box and valentines for each kid in the class, our bellies primed for chocolate and sugar. (Except the day I had … Continue reading February 14 anniversary memories