Last summer I blogged about the "Portland and Columbia River souvenir playing cards" I was gifted by my Boston friend Jack. Upon the advice of a staff member at the Oregon Historical Society, I scanned the 52 cards, each with a unique image. The cards  hold a copyright date of 1909 by the U.S. Playing … Continue reading Oregon’s past in a deck of cards

Shortly after the November 2016 presidential election, I began a novel. Two factors intersected at virtually the same time. First, I had finished my final editing of My Music Man with the ultimate "send" of my manuscript to the publisher. But even bigger, was my obsessive brain becoming unhealthily addicted to the news. My spirit … Continue reading Crazy politics: a time to write

I really don't care much about football. This is not a claim I make lightly in Duck and Seahawk country. Sure, I was excited when our local West Linn High team won state, as they did just last month, or when my brother's team won the state title four decades ago. But really, unless I … Continue reading Early Portland and the flying pigskin