For more than a decade, one of my jobs included maintaining a curated online resource directory addressing all things environmental, safety and health. The directory was first begun as the internet powered up with few effective search engines available. And certainly no artificial intelligence! Over the years as search engines perfected what they did, this … Continue reading Understanding Toxic Materials in Today’s Information Jungle
Writing
The Joy of Reading: A Refuge from Reality
Gaga reads Petra Mathers' book "Lottie's New Beach Towel" with her granddaughters at Illahee. We were fortunate to hear Petra read this book at nearby Ilwaco's Time Enough Books. It’s no surprise how I return to the Power of the Book during challenging times. While I don’t want to be one who puts my head … Continue reading The Joy of Reading: A Refuge from Reality
Enhancing Workplace Well-Being: Essential Strategies
I appreciate having worked in the academic and research world for a good part of my career. More profound for me has been my ability to remain closely connected to the World of Work and its challenges. I appreciate the science of knowing and the importance of research in helping us move ahead. And I … Continue reading Enhancing Workplace Well-Being: Essential Strategies
The Gift of Discovery: Reflections on Travel and History
Watercolor sketch of the ship Lausanne painted by missionary Hamilton Campbell during his journey by ship from New York to Oregon in 1839. Oregon Historical Society Archives. East Coast travels fills me with a profound awareness of the newness of the state and region I come from. That is, from the standpoint of non-Indigenous peoples. … Continue reading The Gift of Discovery: Reflections on Travel and History
Embracing the Fact That Change Takes a Long Time
Okay..this was a birthday card from my sister-in-law back 13 years ago. Truth be told, the only highlights or color change I've had is thanks to nature. I was on my cell phone, parked in a little shopping center in Beaverton. It's an area of town I don't seem to go to often anymore, but … Continue reading Embracing the Fact That Change Takes a Long Time
Friendship bridging generations: A heartwarming journey with Patty and Jay
Jay and Patty, December, 2016 I had no idea at the moment what a connection we were creating. What I knew was that Mom, then a fairly active 83 year-old residing in assisted living, thought it'd be fun to have a young person read to her. Mom was both lucky and grateful to have doting … Continue reading Friendship bridging generations: A heartwarming journey with Patty and Jay
Yes, industrial hygiene is a cool career
Last spring a friend suggested that the public needed to better understand environmental health and industrial hygiene. "Y" felt others would be interested in its relevance to daily life and living, and I would be the perfect person to write about it. I liked the idea, but was busy with job decisions, a book release … Continue reading Yes, industrial hygiene is a cool career
Hello 3rd Great Grandma: an interview
Chloe Aurelia Clarke Willson (1818-1874) Last year my writing group gave me a writing assignment. Interview my 3rd Great Grandmother Chloe Clarke Willson. Naturally, since Chloe died in 1874, this would necessarily be a creative piece unless I suddenly discover divine powers previously unknown to me. My friends probably also suspected it would be a … Continue reading Hello 3rd Great Grandma: an interview
Ten years
In thirteen days, Dad will have been gone ten years. One decade ago I received that early morning phone call from Mom. I drove the two miles to their West Linn apartment where they had relocated two years prior after residing much of their life in Portland. Later that summer I would thank a Tualatin … Continue reading Ten years
Hurrah for Portland Book Week 2024!
Yes, I added 2024 because I certainly hope we'll have Portland Book Week 2025! I offer buckets of thanks to the folks who made Portland Book Week happen: organizers, bookstores, authors and supporters, readers. I had much more fun than I anticipated. And, I too was exhausted from all the excitement even though I only … Continue reading Hurrah for Portland Book Week 2024!
Dede's Books and blog 