I’ve been thinking a lot lately about connecting with strangers. Wondering why it’s so hard. Why sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Why some people seem to expect good things to happen, and others expect nothing. Or worse. Some people seem to be surprised (and offended) when life intrudes on their plans for a perfect [...]
It’s been a perfect Mother’s Day so far. Elijah has been pampering us with food and drink and we got to video chat with Aaron, who will be home for a visit in a couple of weeks. Louise wanted to get a hanging flower basket so we walked down to Fred Meyer together. The store [...]
I had pretty much forgotten about the “layaway angels.” It’s so strange how when something isn’t in the news – it’s like it doesn’t exist. Like homelessness, war, and hunger. And goodness, kindness and redemption. I was near the checkout at Sears yesterday and a woman and her daughter caught my eye. I said hello [...]
If you know anyone who lives in Portland, you’ve already heard the news. It stopped raining! Not only has it stopped raining (which would have been enough), but the sun came out! Not only that (which thrilled us all to bits), it is 80°! Louise and I walked to Laurelhurst Park, mostly as an excuse [...]
I sort of stole this post’s title from the name of an article in the latest edition of The Sun magazine by Brian Jay Stanley. Stanley’s piece is a study of “otherness”; an answer to the question: “who is a stranger?” in which he explores the bonds that we share with each other. It’s a wonderful [...]
Levi, the new kitty we got after Patches died, is wonderful. Really. He’s one of the best cats I’ve ever had. He is affectionate without being clingy, self-confident yet not aloof, and playful without being destructive (unless you’re trying to read the newspaper). He is soft and beautiful and gets along with everyone. Levi has [...]
You know what would be sad? If all the cherry blossoms got washed off the trees before we had even one perfectly nice day. Just as we closed the book on the wettest March on record (yes, that’s right), the sun appeared! We ventured out, blinking like moles emerging from their tunnel. Within an hour the skies [...]
Every year around this time I make a pilgrimage to a foreign land. Like all pilgrimages, it requires mental and spiritual preparation. Sometimes I get lost on my journey. Or I arrive, only to wander aimlessly. Today was the day. My course was straight and true and I found my way without a single misstep. [...]
I should have known better. I thought I had learned to always carry a hundred dollar bill and my camera with me. You never know when the perfect opportunity will present itself. But yesterday, when I had to make a quick dash to the store, I just stuck my wallet (sans hundred) in my coat [...]
We got up super early to take Elijah to the airport, then went back to sleep. It made for kind of a weird day and I’m thankful for the extra hour of light at this end of it. I never quite understand Daylight Savings Time and I know I’ll be grumbling when it’s pitch dark in the [...]
