Recently, I met a new friend who is on the path to recovery. "Sober for a year," they said, a smile sad and proud at the same time. Because we were talking about all things books, I shared with them my favorite page from my first book and memoir, My Music Man. After they read … Continue reading From Memoir to Audiobook: Celebrating Healing and Connection
You may have noticed recommendations to boycott META from May 6-11. Yes, that includes Facebook and Instagram, and I will try to follow suit. The boycott is to, at least in part, "pressure Meta into changing its policies, particularly regarding content moderation, fact-checking, and its treatment of LGBTQ+ communities." Yes, some say the attempted boycott … Continue reading Boycotting META: Seeking Authentic News Sources
Those of you who know me may understand I sometimes can’t not write, even if I posted a blog earlier in the week. (That’s why I say on average I post two blogs a month.) No longer with a day job, it's easy for me to get wrapped up in something I must share. I … Continue reading Worker Safety for Dummies: or why we should care about NIOSH
Creating a writing community of close friends was not one of those things I imagined in my future when I was young. And yet, it is something I’m deeply grateful for, especially in this time of midlife. Don't get me wrong, I spent a lifetime journaling, reading, even writing a few poems. But it was … Continue reading Empowering Stories: The Strength of Writing Communities
What fills my brain these days? I first began over 320 blogs ago, and still continue to craft posts to improve and advance my writing. But a funny thing happened on the way to...unscheduled retirement. An unexpected layoff, change of administration, fear about human rights and elimination of science, and recognition of my own privilege … Continue reading Nail Salons: Why Science Matters
I never thought I'd make a special trip out to the Portland International Airport just to have lunch. Once or twice I'd headed out to Port of Portland offices at the airport in years past for work, but never for a meal. And of course, dozens of times over the years to fly elsewhere. But … Continue reading Why PDX Is the Must-Visit Airport in 2025
Checking out the ducks at the confluence of Sucker Creek with the Willamette River. Sucker Creek flows out of Lake Oswego. The first thing that enters my mind when I think about Lake Oswego's lake is knowing my grandparents paddled it by canoe on their first date on July 15, 1925. They both lived in … Continue reading About Sucker Lake; I mean Oswego.
I recently experienced one of my most difficult parenting challenges. My thirty-something adult child asked me if things will be okay. Authenticity, honesty, trust, compassion, optimism. These qualities are important to me as a parent and friend. Both our daughters work in health care, one with critically ill patients in the ICU, and the other … Continue reading Moving Ahead When Things Feel Hopeless
Lake of the Woods, Montana Whenever I think about regrets, I think of Dad. After all, for his 35 years of life after choosing recovery he made it clear, while he offered his apologies and atonements, he was encouraged to embrace regrets as part of his journey. Yesterday was our final day owning Montana property. … Continue reading Embracing Change: Letting Go
Taking time to feed our creativity and well-being is essential now more than ever. As we attend to activities important to us, our loved ones and our futures, we must also find moments to be good to ourselves. For me, reading, writing and sharing my own work fill those moments, augmented by quiet walks outdoors. … Continue reading Join Local Events to Celebrate Storytelling
Dede's Books and blog 