sun & sea break from ice & cold
Gary and I decided in mid-November that our Christmas present to each other would be a Caribbean cruise. The series of four snowstorms–so far–began after that. The trip was definitely … Continue reading
End in sight?
It’s been a month since I posted anything because I’ve been working on my novel. I finished another five chapters: 42 pages, 12,735 words. I’ve now completed drafts of two of … Continue reading
Spectacular Scenery & Memorable Meals
I promise–this is my last report on our recent trip to Scandinavia, St. Petersburg and Torino. Looking at a map, one can see that the Scandinavian countries are bounded … Continue reading
Kings & Queens/History & Politics
One’s head spins with the profusion of kings and queens whose inter-related and lavish lifestyles are proudly displayed in all the countries we visited, despite turbulent political upheavals over the centuries. Christian IV (1577-1648), … Continue reading
Back to Beacon Rock
We talked last winter of spending the entire month of July in a leisurely meander up the Columbia River to Lewiston, ID. In the event–as they say–what with family visits … Continue reading
And now for something completely different…
Nearly three years ago, my husband Gary noticed a small item in the paper announcing that an amphibious transport ship currently under construction in Pascagoula, MS, would be named after Portland, Oregon. … Continue reading
Coming Full Circle
It’s exactly one year since I engaged in the email correspondence with Olivia Thomas of Woodcut Media that resulted in my express trip back to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania … Continue reading
supernumerary—with a twist
It’s been nearly six years since I had the pleasure of being a supernumerary in a Portland Opera production. Carmen was a remote possibility a couple of years ago—if we’d been home during … Continue reading
Pattern Reproduction
It took a second try, but my questions were answered—and in a context that amplified the significance of what I learned. Director of Membership Lisa Hoffman referred me to curator Charles Campbell, … Continue reading
Pattern Recognition
My husband Gary suggests that it’s sheer vanity that drives my interest in representations of the goddess called Artemis by the Greeks and Diana by the Romans. I explain that … Continue reading
illuminate history 