How many in our bursting metro area know much about our aged Willamette Falls Locks? Ask a longtime local and they'll fill your ear. The Locks opened on New Year's Day 1873 and were operated by several owners prior to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' purchase from Portland Railway Light and Power Company in … Continue reading Willamette Falls Locks reimagined today
We are about stories
I stayed up late the other night finishing Birgitta Hjalmarson's Fylgia, a story based in Sweden and published by the same press as my memoir, Bedazzled Ink. I mistakenly drank caffeinated coffee at 4:30 pm, and decided to make good use of any anticipated insomnia. I would have finished the novel, without caffeine. And I am … Continue reading We are about stories
My San Antonio rose medallion moments
The cabinet containing Chinese rose medallion porcelain stopped me on my way to the bar. Not caring who was around I released an audible you're kidding that quickly morphed into an excited, though stunned, grin. It was another serendipitous moment, one triggered by my friend William. He recommended I stop by San Antonio's Menger Hotel … Continue reading My San Antonio rose medallion moments
Celebrate the moments
Yesterday I finished my final final. Some may understand what I mean by this. It's not what I thought was final when I submitted my manuscript to my publisher last December, and of which I signed a contract barely a week later. Nor is it the version I completed one month later, taking those few … Continue reading Celebrate the moments
Writing about the bad
When I began writing about Dad in My Music Man, I didn’t intend to write about his alcoholism. While it was a big thing, it wasn’t the big thing when he died. Rather, I missed him, his stories, and his connections to our past. It was in my first draft of writing about him when I … Continue reading Writing about the bad
Founders Day: We all have our stories
"As a kid, my favorite boating destination was Champoeg Park," begins My Music Man Chapter 13. Today, Champoeg remains one of Oregon's natural spots most sentimental to me and my brothers. It was the place to be the day after Dad died, and again today on this warm May afternoon for the 175th Founders Day celebrating … Continue reading Founders Day: We all have our stories
From togas to trails in Cottage Grove
When we headed to Cottage Grove last weekend to cycle the Row River Rail-to-Trail, I didn't expect to learn about a plan to break the world's largest toga party record! Cottage Grove owned this title from 2005 until 2012 when Brisbane, Queensland, Australia beat them out. Cottage Grove will seek revenge in August to win it … Continue reading From togas to trails in Cottage Grove
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
Lucky breaks
I find it difficult to believe my grandfather’s decades old, now, quote that he profited enough upon publishing The White Headed Eagle, to “buy up” house-wise from 3306 to 3846 N.W. Thurman Street in 1935 Portland. Now, this book about John McLoughlin was a good read and I do understand the difference in yesterday’s housing … Continue reading Lucky breaks
