Fellow Oregon author Matt Love penned a terrific book titled Of Walking in Rain. In it, Matt writes about what it is to live in one of the rainiest places on earth - a Western Oregon trait we worry may dry up with time. Anyone living in the Pacific Northwest must read this book, as I … Continue reading Real Oregonians do: in defense of umbrellas
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
The snow made me do it
Yes, once daylight appeared I had to set out to do my most favorite thing. Walk in the fresh snow, even if only a mere inch or two. And it made me remember this excerpt from my memoir. Had I known then, my snow-deprived self would have been jealous to have learned about the boisterous snowstorm … Continue reading The snow made me do it
Let’s talk about It
I was going to write a blog about It. Then I read a piece by Atwood, and I didn’t have anything else to say. She said it all, more eloquent than anything I could craft. Fears about It lurk in my dreams and during my awakening. Heightened as I think about our children. Earth as we have known … Continue reading Let’s talk about It
Power of story at Willamette Falls
I am excited to share the video produced by the Willamette Falls Legacy Story Telling Project about our family history and “My Music Man.” Kudos to the beautiful work of Ian Probasco and Shelly Parini. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdri5L9pi4M&t=42s Learn more about My Music Man, upcoming readings, and the Willamette Falls Legacy Project .
What’s happening on February 14?
Yes, perhaps you plan to celebrate Valentine's Day with someone special. Newcomers to Oregon - and those who haven't paid much attention to history - may need to be reminded that it is also Oregon's birthday. Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859. And while we can all agree that our history is … Continue reading What’s happening on February 14?
River stories
My new friend, author Robin Cody, suggested he was my Clackamas River Cousin, the one I didn’t know I had. The one related not by blood but of water, of rivers that run and pool, and carry us from today to tomorrow. How is it I had not discovered his writing until now? As I … Continue reading River stories
Did you say Jolabokaflod?
Yes! Kudos to my friend and local author Margaret Pinard for taking it upon herself to create a fabulous new Portland book opportunity: Jolabokaflod. After all, what could be more exciting than entering 2019 with new reading titles for dark, cold nights? Even better, what greater way to support and discover local authors than to … Continue reading Did you say Jolabokaflod?
The ritual of the tree
It's true. I adore Christmas trees. Truth be told, I adore trees. And while I did grow up in a (albeit, liberal) Christian Church and sang in the choir with the best of them, I admit my devotion to the season is more. I'll ignore, for now, paradoxical contradictions of religion. Instead, decorated trees awaken … Continue reading The ritual of the tree
You come back, again and again
The woman cutting my hair admired my ring three days ago. I told her I got it from you. I didn’t say it was from your finger, a moment after you took your last breath. When I first put it on it felt foreign: a large jade stone. The one you impulsively traveled downtown to … Continue reading You come back, again and again
Dede's Books and blog 