I was labelled “wise” by the new leader of my last workplace. The label was a euphemism for irrelevant. Her vision was transformation through metric-driven, tech-savvy efficiencies. I thought it was the right vision. So I retired. I wasn’t pushed … Read More
Strippers from Casa Diablo, a vegan strip club (only-in-Portland?) were in church and part of the sermon/dialogue a few weeks ago. The minister preaches – and practices—radical inclusion. His stewardship sermon last Sunday was Please don’t Give Us Money, if … Read More
When people ask how many children I have, I hesitate. The answer is two, a bio child and adopted child, but it is easier to say “one.” Like other simple questions in idle chat, the answer is messier than social … Read More
Ken Kesey’s bronze statue cozied up to me On that bench in Eugene. I knew Further, That painted Urge to trip across country, Thumb out, backpack on. I jumped a 6-foot fence in Minnesota, State trooper’s light flashing, Left a … Read More
The meadowlark’s song is a signature memory of my childhood, that lilting call on a grassy knoll, melody carried above the grinding of grasshoppers or the rustling of wind through tall grass; a meadowlark perched on a fence post, head … Read More
Where are all the protest songs? Long time passing? Caged children don’t wade in the water. What blows in the wind? We count and it’s one, two, three what are we waiting for? We’re in a silent war. Does outrage … Read More
Aromatic burning, smoke wafting upwards, Dish of glowing sage offered North, East, South, West Cleansing old energy, making room for new We have accumulated years, Were young Turks once The Ottoman Empire reduced to metaphor Our fate, like Black Elk, … Read More
Boomerang kids are those kids who slingshot back home as young adults. Post-recession career-type jobs were hard to come by, and most parents had a twenty-something that regretted living in the basement as much as we missed our freedom. Entry-level … Read More
The Last Person Made Famous by a Painting is the title of a short video by Jesse Brass and Bo Bartlett about Helga Testorf, she of the Helga paintings. Andrew Wyeth painted 250 pictures of Helga over a 15-year period, … Read More