by admin | Nov 14, 2011 | Defies Description
Some years ago, we had a foreign exchange student from Belgium stay with us. Caroline came to visit us for a month after my daughter, then 14, stayed with her family in Belgium for part of the summer. It was quite the culture shock for Caroline. She had never been to...
by admin | Nov 9, 2011 | Defies Description
Before I ever flew on an airplane, I naively thought that there were actually lines marking the borders of the states. Imagine my surprise on my first flight when I couldn’t tell by looking down at the ground that I had left Washington and entered Idaho. I guess...
by admin | Nov 7, 2011 | Defies Description
Like most kids growing up in the 60s, I had some really cool toys. This included more than a number of Nylint and Tonka toys for outdoor play. Some were handed down from my brothers, others were exclusively mine. It was a distinct advantage being the youngest of four...
by admin | Nov 3, 2011 | Defies Description
My friend Bobby called the other day with a very pleasant surprise. It seems that while cleaning out his old house in La Pine, Oregon, he had happened upon a very rare treasure. To the uninitiated, it might sound commonplace: Coconut rum. Today, everyone and his...
by admin | Nov 1, 2011 | Defies Description
I have been a registered voter since 1976. It was exciting to become a voter at 18, so I don’t even think I waited a day after my birthday to register. I did not, however, register for Selective Service, which continued to haunt me for a decade or so until I...
by admin | Oct 31, 2011 | Defies Description
Halloween has rolled around once again. Every year I am reminded of my own youth and the excitement of fall coming around, when once again my brothers and I could head off down the street to get candy from the neighbors, all because we put on a crummy costume. I...
by admin | Oct 28, 2011 | Defies Description
When I was in 4th grade at Kennydale Elementary, I had the chance to sign up for band. Now, I don’t really remember if I was given the chance. I think it was just expected, as my other brothers, well two of the three, played in band. There were limited choices...
by admin | Oct 25, 2011 | Defies Description
When my mother had a recent health scare, I thought it might be the end for us. When she passes away I will, in essence, be an orphan. At least that’s the way I have chosen to view it. For though I have 3 1/2 siblings, all of them have abandoned ship on me over...
by admin | Oct 24, 2011 | Defies Description
It’s amazing how many milestones you have when you’re still in your youth. You learn to walk and talk, ride a bike, go on your first date, hopefully have sex the first time, and have your first legal drink. I know that others in my era had their first...
by admin | Oct 13, 2011 | Defies Description
For as long as I can remember I have been a bit of a flirt. OK, let’s drop the bit part of that. I am a huge flirt. It’s not like I ever learned how to be one. It just happened. Perhaps somewhere in the family DNA there is the mutant flirt gene. I know my...
