Yes, today is an exciting day! It is the release of A Map of Her Own, my fifth book set in the Pacific Northwest. Thank you to Bedazzled Ink Publishing for, once again, helping me get my stories out. So, I'll begun by encouraging you to check it out. If you have enjoyed any of … Continue reading Embracing Unexpected Encounters: The Power of Connection
Sometimes I start a blog and think it’s going to be one thing; yet my brain spins it in another direction. Or I morph several things into my original idea. Yes, this is one of those. As Russ and I stared out our airplane window into the glaciers, peaks and water below, memories flooded back … Continue reading A View From Before, Above and Now: Hello Alaska
I have struggled ethically in having my books distributed via Amazon. I recently found myself thinking through this yet again as I released the audiobook version of My Music Man. Having dedicated myself for forty years to advocate for healthy and safe work for all workers, yes, it feels a bit self-serving... After all, again … Continue reading Supporting Independent Bookstores Over Amazon
Near Pine Creek in the Wallowas. Yes, it’s been exactly one year since I was laid off from what I know now, though didn’t know then, my final chapter of traditional employment. While it took me a month to recover from my surprise and frustration, I know now how much I’ve gained. And how fortunate … Continue reading Wandering and the Gift of Time
I'm not sure what had me singing the song, first written by Ed Bruce and popularized by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings the other day. It only took a minute, though, before my brain substituted scientists for cowboys. And yes, I am blogging more frequently these days. I’d like to blame it on the fact … Continue reading Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to be Scientists…
You may have noticed recommendations to boycott META from May 6-11. Yes, that includes Facebook and Instagram, and I will try to follow suit. The boycott is to, at least in part, "pressure Meta into changing its policies, particularly regarding content moderation, fact-checking, and its treatment of LGBTQ+ communities." Yes, some say the attempted boycott … Continue reading Boycotting META: Seeking Authentic News Sources
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.
Lake of the Woods, Montana Whenever I think about regrets, I think of Dad. After all, for his 35 years of life after choosing recovery he made it clear, while he offered his apologies and atonements, he was encouraged to embrace regrets as part of his journey. Yesterday was our final day owning Montana property. … Continue reading Embracing Change: Letting Go
Taking time to feed our creativity and well-being is essential now more than ever. As we attend to activities important to us, our loved ones and our futures, we must also find moments to be good to ourselves. For me, reading, writing and sharing my own work fill those moments, augmented by quiet walks outdoors. … Continue reading Join Local Events to Celebrate Storytelling
As I observe my not quite two-year-old grandchild, it is clear to me he is coordinated and agile. I've been around small children enough to identify a bit of precociousness there. And it's no surprise when I acknowledge the athleticism of his own parents. It got me thinking about kids and sports: the gifts early … Continue reading Navigating Youth Sports: Balancing Competition With Fun
Dede's Books and blog 