Lausanne Hall at Willamette University. While this building was built in 1920, it replaced the original 1880 building identified to serve as the school's Women's College. That original building was our third great grandparent's house, moved from its original location at the corner of Salem's Capitol and Court Streets. Lausanne was the name of the … Continue reading Willamette University and the Fate of Perpetual Scholarships
Photo credit and article: Housecall Providers. After visiting John one day, I was compelled to write the piece below. Although I read it to my writing group and shared it with Housecall Providers, I refrained from editing it much as, after all, it was just for me, direct from my heart. Today, the time feels … Continue reading My New Friend: A Tribute
I rarely enter writing contests, but the one celebrating the Astoria Column's first one hundred years spoke to me. After all, I have a model of it in with other keepsakes in my ancestral altar. I've mentioned the column in all three of my works of fiction and my first memoir. It meant a lot … Continue reading Writing and the Astoria Column’s Centennial Celebration
Yeah, I've said it before and likely again. It takes a lot to shut up both my inner voice and brain. Even when I come off propofol, apparently, as I did after last week's colonoscopy. I asked my daughter (the PA who works in a CICU) later if most people are chatty after. I'm sure … Continue reading Hearts on Call: Compassion, Overload, and their Costs
Three interconnected standalone novels. Read them in any order. I have sometimes said I write by the seat of my pants. That's not exactly true, although I do allow my heart to lead the way into the stories I write. My prefrontal cortex is absolutely invited to join the journey, but the essence of the … Continue reading The Art of Character Handoff: Inside My Companion Novels
A bit about my guy I don’t write a lot about Russ, even though I met him when I was 21. That's a long forty-three years ago. He was the only guy about who I called Mom after a second date (okay, it was more than a date) to say I was in love. I … Continue reading Between the Lines of Life and Fiction
Willamette River Channel near West Linn and Lake Oswego. What bucket list? Don't get me wrong. I remain healthy and pretty fit (I think) for someone in their early 60s. Yet, when I read this week's tragic account of a skydiving plane going down, it got me thinking about my bucket list. Or even more … Continue reading Writing the Bucket List for the Second Half
In this Entry:Practicing Patience/ Our remarkable bodiesRambling Tips/ Accessible walksBook Recommendation/ Betty Practicing Patience Okay, bear with me faithful readers. But yes, watching skin heal from a second degree burn has allowed me to practice the fine art of patience. And observation. Two things my "quick to be and act" nature isn't always good at. … Continue reading Life’s (sometimes surprising) Joys
In this Entry:State of the World/ Feel Better TipsPersonal Reflection/ Power of ConnectionJust Because/ McMenaminsPostscript I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling a bit down lately. Given the state of so much in our world - war, politics, inflation - it's no surprise. Add our own or loved ones' aging or health challenges, … Continue reading The Joy Survival Kit: Staying Up When Life Gets Heavy
In this Entry:A Map of Her Own/ The Big and Little SteamboatPersonal Reflection/ Power of Human ConnectionBook Recommendations/ This is Happiness +Postscript T.S. Potter, image credit Salem Public Library Big and Little Steamboats I had a lot of fun during my recent interview on KBOO's Jonesy Hour. Having listened to previous episodes, I knew Ken … Continue reading Steamboats and Soul: A Map to Happiness