In honor of forever friends from Jefferson HIgh, Kay, Patty (1933-2021), and Janet (1932-2024) I’ve lived in the same house for 33 years. That is longer than any home or town I’ve lived in before; nearly half of my life so far, and longer than my parents lived in any one residence. Had you asked … Continue reading Serendipity, Friendship and Cartwheels: Navigating Life’s Connections
Just because
The Joy of Reading: A Refuge from Reality
Gaga reads Petra Mathers' book "Lottie's New Beach Towel" with her granddaughters at Illahee. We were fortunate to hear Petra read this book at nearby Ilwaco's Time Enough Books. It’s no surprise how I return to the Power of the Book during challenging times. While I don’t want to be one who puts my head … Continue reading The Joy of Reading: A Refuge from Reality
Enhancing Workplace Well-Being: Essential Strategies
I appreciate having worked in the academic and research world for a good part of my career. More profound for me has been my ability to remain closely connected to the World of Work and its challenges. I appreciate the science of knowing and the importance of research in helping us move ahead. And I … Continue reading Enhancing Workplace Well-Being: Essential Strategies
Embracing the Fact That Change Takes a Long Time
Okay..this was a birthday card from my sister-in-law back 13 years ago. Truth be told, the only highlights or color change I've had is thanks to nature. I was on my cell phone, parked in a little shopping center in Beaverton. It's an area of town I don't seem to go to often anymore, but … Continue reading Embracing the Fact That Change Takes a Long Time
Yes, industrial hygiene is a cool career
Last spring a friend suggested that the public needed to better understand environmental health and industrial hygiene. "Y" felt others would be interested in its relevance to daily life and living, and I would be the perfect person to write about it. I liked the idea, but was busy with job decisions, a book release … Continue reading Yes, industrial hygiene is a cool career
Hurrah for Portland Book Week 2024!
Yes, I added 2024 because I certainly hope we'll have Portland Book Week 2025! I offer buckets of thanks to the folks who made Portland Book Week happen: organizers, bookstores, authors and supporters, readers. I had much more fun than I anticipated. And, I too was exhausted from all the excitement even though I only … Continue reading Hurrah for Portland Book Week 2024!
Dolls, kids and compassion
Although I identified as a tomboy growing up, I too loved playing with dolls. Our mom cherished the opportunity to give her only daughter baby dolls. Today I also realize how grateful she was to afford for me what she didn't get as a child. As I got older she sewed outfits for one doll … Continue reading Dolls, kids and compassion
Intersecting and aligning
For the first time since I was in graduate school, I have no job, nor am I between jobs. Yes, forty years of knowing what work was or where the pay check would come from. My only breaks were maternity leaves, six weeks after a devastating car accident, and the usual vacations. And honestly, maybe … Continue reading Intersecting and aligning
The Gnome
It wasn't until I finalized my soon to release memoir, From First Breath to Last, when I fully appreciated how skilled and prolific Mom was as a writer. In this “soon to be released” memoir, I don't mention the volumes of other writing she produced, most of it during her second to last decade. Mom … Continue reading The Gnome
We know it when we feel it
Earlier this week I met up with a friend. She's been a tremendous supporter of my books and writing, but that had little to do with our conversation this time. Her face, posture and spirit answered my question before I asked: how was her new job? She gave off entirely different vibes than what I … Continue reading We know it when we feel it
Dede's Books and blog 