“There is nothing to do. There is nowhere to go.” Thich Nhat Hahn I had an appointment with an oral surgeon in The Dalles, OR. It’s 20 miles east of my home in Hood River. The morning sun made freeway driving difficult. At one point, I gunned the engine to speed by a cluster of … More Riverwalk
“The future happens, no matter how much we scream.” Derek Walcott I meander through my days, indifferent to their purpose. I seek elusive peace. I play golf with friends. Or, I indulge in the calm and quiet of our local library. Sometimes, the Columbia River waterfront beckons. There, I mingle with the dog walkers and … More Summer’s End
Stray cats prowl our neighborhood. Each day, I leave a small portion of kibble on our porch. I place it under the eaves, sheltered from rain and gusts of wind. The food disappears. I’ve noted two visitors. One is burly. He has the demeanor of a New Jersey mobster. He must have a home. His … More Lost and Found
“The future ain’t what it used to be” Yogi Berra I’m an early riser. I’ll drink coffee and read until the fog of sleep lifts. Recently, a dangerous heat wave blistered Oregon. So, I’ve taken to watering my plants early in the day. This spring, I eliminated the wildflower spaces. An invasive weed had begun … More Pots and Weeds
Spring Trees, the audio version. Click here and follow along with the text. First, a few notes. I’ve been reading Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl. (thanks Ginger!) and The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. Today, May 10th, 2024, my brother Earl/Butch turns 80. He has Alzheimers Disease and lives in a facility in … More Spring Trees
“It’s a messed up world, but I love it anyway.” Greg Brown from Two Little Feet Successive storms stagger into the valley. Swollen rivers rush from the foothills to the Columbia. On the street, fallen leaves coalesce in soggy stews of cellulose. They stick to the shoes of holiday shoppers. Downtown, the greasy residue adorns … More The Glory And The Pity
“A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.” Carl Sagan Saturday dissolved in a murky soup of bad weather. A November storm drenched the valley. Rain fell, lightning flashed, and thunder boomed. Me and my cat, Spanky, stayed indoors. It was the sensible thing to do. We ate, we napped, and I … More November Rain
I drove to the hospital in town. Smoke billowed on the Washington shore of the Columbia River. Like a genie escaping from the bottle of dry forest, it swirled upwards in the morning breeze. I have a standing order for monthly labs through next February. With this bloodwork, we will assess my response to last … More Summer Doldrums
“Everybody should be quiet near a little stream, and listen.” Maurice Sendak I follow the path. It’s quiet. A covey of quail stir in the undergrowth. Their mama whispers a warning. As I pass … stillness. Trees abound: oaks, maples, and dogwood. White firs, shaggy with lichen, border the trail. A lone ponderosa pine towers … More Mother’s Day 2023
“We are always here and always leaving. We are water, like the river, just passing through.” David Budbill I walk the waterfront. A damp wind batters me. The normal crowd is absent. Too cold. An armada of scoters dive near the shore, oblivious to the temperature and rain. Above me, convoys of geese traverse the … More Under the Dying Stars
Good Blood, Bad Blood 