Yes, I do believe I wear a flashing invitation: come tell me when your family arrived in Oregon. I have been eager to hear stories from those "newer" to the state, along with those natives who hold the longest residency. Last week I blogged about my new friend Nancy, whose descendants include Etienne Lucier (French … Continue reading The first house and early Rose City roses
Oregon
Calling all book clubs
As an extroverted introvert, I do enjoy book talks and public presentations. I like gatherings and parties, at least for the first hour - although my preference is always to engage in a longer, deeper conversation with a single individual, even at events like this. That being said, I have found my favorite activity related … Continue reading Calling all book clubs
What about 1844?
Only recently did I recognize the significance of participating in Oregon City’s 175th celebration on August 24, 2019. I’m excited to join others at the End of the Oregon Trail Museum, with music, food, and history talks, as Oregon City plans to “party like it’s 1844” in celebrating 175 years of pioneers. Look for me … Continue reading What about 1844?
Author interview with Rose City Reader
As a newer author, I have learned quickly how much writers appreciate any attention we may garner from bloggers and bookstores. Portland's Gilion Dumas, the Rose City Reader, is a terrific supporter of writers and readers. In case you missed my interview shared earlier this week, with her permission I have posted it below. Thank … Continue reading Author interview with Rose City Reader
J.K. Gill: In 5 minutes or less
After delivering my Ignite West Linn: History on Fire talk yesterday, I surveyed the crowd as to who had ever set foot in a J.K. Gill store. More hands were up than down, leading me to imagine many more than just those in the Willamette Ale & Cider House on a June Sunday afternoon might … Continue reading J.K. Gill: In 5 minutes or less
Time for another Ignite: History on Fire
Today is the fourth West Linn Ignite: History on Fire, sponsored by the West Linn Historical Society. Join us from 4:00 - 5:00 pm at the Willamette Ale & Cider House (1720 Willamette Falls Drive, West Linn). Here's what's "on tap" for history shorts: Greg Nokes: The Troubled Life of Peter BurnettPam Krecklow: Historic County … Continue reading Time for another Ignite: History on Fire
A road to the coast
Hundreds of times in my life I have traveled from Portland to our Oregon Coast through the Coast Range. At least a quarter of those times I have stopped at the one rest area off Highway 26. Once, yesterday, I actually took a few minutes to view the historic kiosk located there, usually too eager … Continue reading A road to the coast
Teach our children well: a story about trillium
I keep meaning to get to that next novel. Write it, that is. (The one that lies in wait, somewhere, inside me.) Instead, other words infiltrate my not-still brain, urging it on with a different, pressing demand. Another blog. My brain is obsessive. It rapidly composes, adding words to one another, making it hard to … Continue reading Teach our children well: a story about trillium
Time to March on
Yesterday would have been Dad's 89th birthday. It seemed a fitting day to share my final book talk on My Music Man...and to serve cookies. If you've read my memoir, you may recall this excerpt. TWO MONTHS AFTER Dad's death and a few weeks after his memorial service on the steamer Portland, Russ and I … Continue reading Time to March on
Real Oregonians do: in defense of umbrellas
Fellow Oregon author Matt Love penned a terrific book titled Of Walking in Rain. In it, Matt writes about what it is to live in one of the rainiest places on earth - a Western Oregon trait we worry may dry up with time. Anyone living in the Pacific Northwest must read this book, as I … Continue reading Real Oregonians do: in defense of umbrellas
