It's true. I adore Christmas trees. Truth be told, I adore trees. And while I did grow up in a (albeit, liberal) Christian Church and sang in the choir with the best of them, I admit my devotion to the season is more. I'll ignore, for now, paradoxical contradictions of religion. Instead, decorated trees awaken … Continue reading The ritual of the tree
Just because
Cramming it in
The frequency in which my work and personal thoughts intersect no longer surprises me. As work conversations occasionally focus on just what we mean by worker well-being, it's not uncommon for me to apply it to the life I know, or worry for those owning work demands - often accompanied by low wages, no benefits … Continue reading Cramming it in
Hair and formaldehyde, power and health
Life occasionally delivers moments when my newer author life intersects with my thirty-year industrial hygiene profession. I didn’t expect Brazilian Blowout to be captured within the pages of The Female Persuasion, as I leisurely read this 2018 novel by Meg Wolitzer while on vacation. This chemical hair straightener briefly shocked me away from my traditional … Continue reading Hair and formaldehyde, power and health
In this moment I eat blackberries
The smell of river summer doesn’t fully ripen until late June. It rises mildly on a morning, simmering until late afternoon as the banks absorb the sun’s warmth and then, finally, release the ultimate river smell: a fishy blend spiked with decomposing cottonwood fibers and soon-to-burst blackberry blossoms. … Continue reading In this moment I eat blackberries
From togas to trails in Cottage Grove
When we headed to Cottage Grove last weekend to cycle the Row River Rail-to-Trail, I didn't expect to learn about a plan to break the world's largest toga party record! Cottage Grove owned this title from 2005 until 2012 when Brisbane, Queensland, Australia beat them out. Cottage Grove will seek revenge in August to win it … Continue reading From togas to trails in Cottage Grove
Reflections on #MeToo
When I was in the midst of writing my memoir, My Music Man, conversations about sexual harassment - at work and beyond - were there, nagging and being ignored, as they have been for much of my life. #MeToo hadn't yet launched: encouraging nearly every woman I know to share her story into this bottomless … Continue reading Reflections on #MeToo
In appreciation of the Stafford Hamlet
There have been downsides to being married to an elected official. They all pale, though, when compared to one big gift: the people I've met. And our good friend Richard Fiala is one of those at the top of the list of people we're grateful to know. Richard and I can lose complete track of … Continue reading In appreciation of the Stafford Hamlet
Closing out the year: To the Clackamas
I was surprised when I realized I had never heard about Vortex until just a few years ago. How in the world could I be a native Oregonian growing up on the banks of the Willamette River, and not know about this event? Perhaps because it was 1970 and I was only nine years old. … Continue reading Closing out the year: To the Clackamas
It’s because of the mayor
Now I didn't want to make a big deal about this during campaign season, but I imagine with the elections over, I am free to speak my mind. For after all, how often do we political spouses really get to share the gritty stuff? And you - my handful of readers - will be … Continue reading It’s because of the mayor
Old time radio is coming your way!
I've been thinking about radio a lot lately as I delve into old family history and try to imagine the book chats my grandfather, Richard Gill Montgomery, Sr., provided by radio in early Portland. Many early Portlanders recognized his voice for years as he hosted the chats beginning on KGW from 1925-1933, and KEX from … Continue reading Old time radio is coming your way!
Dede's Books and blog 