I spend a lot of time on my I-Phone. We still subscribe to the anemic local newspaper, but I get most of my news and information from the likes of CNN, NYT, WSJ and the Oregonian. Specialized apps for weather, banking, real estate listings, shopping, music, sports, dining and travel get regular attention. Social media … Continue reading Down the Tik Tok Drain →

Traveling to the rural parts of New Hampshire and Vermont is a good way to hide out from the onslaught of violence and dysfunction in the Middle East and in Congress. Cellular service is largely non-existent in the White and Green mountains and good Internet access is not much better. Back at home, remaining ignorant … Continue reading Wars & Rumors of Speakers →

I just checked a foliage tracker, and our upcoming visit to New England (10/1 to 10/12) should put us in the middle of peak to past-peak colors as we wend our way up from Boston, along the coast of Maine, over to New Hampshire and down through Vermont. New England has been through the weather … Continue reading Fall Foliage →

Petey puppy was born 9/19/21, and came to live with us in November. He arrived with a flight nanny who brought our pup from the East Coast to Portland. Needless to say, this little guy has become a beloved member of the family.

The gray cloud layer is releasing the first rain of Fall 2023. I can hear the faint metallic tapping of droplets as they hit the eaves. It's a peaceful sound, a soothing Amen to the activities that have defined another summer. Last Monday, I pulled into the driveway on my Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro … Continue reading Swing into Fall … of life →

Procrastination and a foggy memory do not for a consistent blog make. I promised myself an entry on the trips that Janet and I have taken since I retired at the end of June 2021. Before this gets completely away from me, I'm going to get some of this information recorded. Our motto for the … Continue reading Retirement Travel Log →

Memory ain't what it used to be. At least mine isn't, but I haven't worked on maintaining it much lately either. It's a muscle that can be strengthened, but it's also a bodily function that starts going downhill on its own. Regardless, I'm now a bit more than a year into retirement, and, if the … Continue reading Memory … →

I turn 62 in a couple of weeks. I am officially retiring from my career at the University of Oregon Libraries this Thursday, July 1st. There are lots of thoughts and feelings to unpack, but I found myself thinking of my dad. Milt also retired at 62, and I am pleased to share that in … Continue reading Retiring at 62 … →

Say something ... yes! There are times when we should hold our tongues. There are times when we should speak up. There are times when not saying something is disastrous. This weekend, Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah--a major holiday that marks the beginning of a new year and kicks off the ten days of awe leading … Continue reading Say Something … →

Can I just say I'm tired of this? I've spent the past four years spilling my outrage into Twitter, Facebook and random conversations. I've actually tried to hold back, knowing that venting spleen disturbs the social harmony and punctures the veneer of the "happy life" that we can create in the online vignettes that we … Continue reading Whither Trump? →