No doubt, we are overwhelmed by news in these times. I'm listening to Ian McEwan's book, What We Can Know, and its futuristic look back at both information sharing and truth in contemporary time is disturbing and thought provoking. Many of my friends and supporters are pulling out of social media altogether, which I understand. … Continue reading Engaging Readers Amid Social Media Fatigue
I found great joy in crafting a book for my grandson this past month. Yet another reminder about how essential it is to make time for creativity, love and joy in these difficult times. Too, I'm trying to model that for my own adult daughters. Our little guy and I had fun sharing his birthday … Continue reading Happy Birthday Oregon: Recognizing our Resilience and Spirit
I have rarely been this excited to share a birthday gift with a loved one. Now you get a sneak peek early, so mum's the word! The beauty too, is that my creation of this gift has gifted me moments of joyful interludes within this difficult world we are all part of. And while those … Continue reading How Family History Inspires Storytelling for Kids
I promised you, my faithful readers, that I'd stop posting when I ran out of content. No, I'm not there yet. But I asserted to myself I'd not be too impulsive in posting content that may sound good to me while rambling, either physically or metaphysically, but loses appeal soon after. Energetic beginnings dictated into … Continue reading The Blogs I Never Wrote—and Why
Does it seem the older we get, the harder it is to recognize the year's end? Perhaps we have finally accepted there are fewer years ahead of us than behind? Or maybe, 2025 is a year we are eager to be done with! Regardless, it is odd for me to look at the 2026 calendar. … Continue reading Thank You for 10 Years of Blogging: Celebrating 2025 Milestones
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?
In case you missed the news, Sunday, December 7 (from noon - 4 pm) is a perfect opportunity to support local, buy holiday gifts, visit downtown Portland, and celebrate the joy of reading. All this within the beautiful Oregon Historical Society's museum. This annual event is my favorite book event hands down. Invited authors must … Continue reading Celebrate Reading at the Oregon Historical Society’s Holiday Cheer
I’ve been thinking about the importance of female friends, particularly as we age. Today I honor my Birthday Bestie. But before I get into detail about that, I too honor the dear friends I have in my life. I feel fortunate in friendship. As I chat about A Map of Her Own in my recent … Continue reading Birthdays and Besties: The Power of Female Friendships Over Time
My dear friend Maura and I have each published creative works, but did you know we also both have Masters Degrees in public health and worked our careers as Certified Industrial Hygienists? Once in a while, something happens and you just know there’s a bit of magic-making. Little things and big things, things we forget … Continue reading Exploring Relationships in Fiction and Public Health
UPDATED: As of Wed., October 22 A Map of Her Own is now readily available on Amazon for the retail price of $16.95. Find it here. That being said, you can still find it under the other book buying options listed below. It's a good thing this wasn’t my first or second, or perhaps even … Continue reading A Map of Her Own: Testing My Limits
Dede's Books and blog 