As I launched my kayak into the Willamette early this morning, the air felt different. The sun still promised to bring heat in the encroaching hours, yet, a hint of fall was in the air. The bald eagle soaring above me shared no signal that September was near. An osprey, circling above me as if … Continue reading Savoring summer
Writing
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
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
The back story: the stag
Photo credit: Levi Saunders It was two years prior when an old buck experiencing dementia wandered the shoreline of the Columbia River. His antlers were still attached on this late winter day, and the river was not yet rushing with spring runoff and snow melt. The buck found his final resting place, tucked up near … Continue reading The back story: the stag
An event at midlife: crisis, challenge, breakthrough, or opportunity?
This blog was originally posted at Women Writers, Women's Books on May 1, 2019. When I was 26 years old, my 54-year-old mom received her doctorate. She had divorced my dad a few years prior, moved from Portland, Oregon to San Francisco, and enrolled in a Ph.D. program that seemed crazy to some of her … Continue reading An event at midlife: crisis, challenge, breakthrough, or opportunity?
Of trees, transformations, and a visitation
Populus tremuloides, Rocky Mountain front by Kodak, 1981 Memories from my past seeped back into me as I pictured Richard Powers' character Nicholas Hoel view photos documenting a chestnut tree's daily transformation over years as if a flip book. I set down The Overstory, and remembered. Back to a brilliant fall forty years ago in … Continue reading Of trees, transformations, and a visitation
Of posts, publications and possibilities
Today is publication day for Beyond the Ripples! Yippee! In addition to three wonderful author endorsements, I am pleased to see the first (of hopefully many) reader reviews to show up on GoodReads and Amazon. I appreciate Women Writers, Women's Books for featuring my essay today on their website. When I wrote it I wasn't … Continue reading Of posts, publications and possibilities
Bursting into May
I could be referring to the blast of cherry blossoms, tulips or cottonwood. Or this week's bluster of rain and wind. Instead, my thoughts are full with planning for the release of Beyond the Ripples, my debut Oregon-based novel, in just a few weeks. Above all else, I feel such gratitude for the support I … Continue reading Bursting into May
Win a free book: identify this river stretch
The Willamette and Columbia Rivers were big players in my memoir, My Music Man. These moving waterways play smaller, yet important roles in my novel. While Oregon (and beyond) rivers exude stretches of beauty and intrigue, who might recognize the stretch I selected to film my Beyond the Ripples trailer? Name this stretch for a … Continue reading Win a free book: identify this river stretch
It’s the end of the trail
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive & Visitor Center, Oregon City, Oregon It may feel like the end of the trail, somedays...but don't take me too literally. My final scheduled book reading and signing of My Music Man will be at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive and Visitor Information Center on Saturday, March … Continue reading It’s the end of the trail
Dede's Books and blog 