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
Portland
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
Early bookselling: Ticknor & Fields to Gills
Bookstores place second on my list of most favorite human-made spaces, bested only by libraries. Libraries unquestionably rank at the top by exuding an overwhelming welcome, and forgiveness for choices I may make: I can explore and expand my interests and it's okay if I don't always make it to the last page. I sometimes … Continue reading Early bookselling: Ticknor & Fields to Gills
Rip City, Bill Schonely and Title IX
While I did blog last year about Early Portland and the flying pigskin, I'd be lying if I didn't admit to be more of a fan of basketball than football. My spouse will assert I'm not much of a fan of either as I lack the watching-sports-on-TV-for-hours-at-a-time skill set, although I'd argue I can at … Continue reading Rip City, Bill Schonely and Title IX
Portland’s Coffee Habit: From Boyd’s to Stumptown
This week Boyd’s Coffee announced it was leaving Portland, having been acquired by Texas-based Farmers Brothers. Normally I wouldn’t think too much of the news, well aware of the coffee competition haunting our streets. But I perked up as I learned that Boyd’s Coffee was founded here - in Portland - in 1900. While I … Continue reading Portland’s Coffee Habit: From Boyd’s to Stumptown
Worker safety, politics, the past
I didn't want to blog about politics. In fact, when I began these "musings" and my novel last fall, it was precisely because of politics. And my worries for our country. I imagined a creative outlet; a needed heart-and-brain-break from news. Neither did I imagine much of an intersection between my career and day job … Continue reading Worker safety, politics, the past
Surprises in the mail
There is something a bit mysterious about an unopened, gifted package. The idea for the novel I am working on (see: A note in a bottle) was made even more special by the surprise package I received in the mail that one day, so many decades ago now. The post-office delivered mailer I received the other … Continue reading Surprises in the mail
Barges, I would like to go with you….
For the past ten years I have ridden the Portland Aerial Tram to work at OHSU, rising up to Portland's Marquam Hill. In these four moments of travel time I have watched breathtaking sunrises and exquisite sunsets, gray socked in days amid torrential loud downpours, and once, in a gusty windstorm, my tram car stopped … Continue reading Barges, I would like to go with you….
A rose is a rose is a rose
I recently finished reading The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. I admit I was a bit disappointed by what felt to be too much plot at its climax, but I found the central theme relating to the meaning and intentions of flowers to be marvelous. And the book offered me a replacement for it … Continue reading A rose is a rose is a rose
Portland Pipe and Book Club
Today, many Portland visitors put Powell's - advertised as the "City of Books" - at the top of their list of sites to see when they stop in the Rose City. Thankfully, we still have popular small independent bookshops, libraries, and a thriving writing community. And - like in so many other places in the … Continue reading Portland Pipe and Book Club
