In early August of this year as Alison lay asleep aboard a sailboat in a marina near Scappoose a fire occurred in which Alison was severely burned. . . The rest of us — her family, friends and those who know and love her -— continue praying for her to recover and regain the joyful life she led before the accident. As part of a whole community effort, Mark’s on the Channel will hold a fund raising benefit to help pay the mounting expenses.

“The question is whether or not you choose to disturb the world around you, or if you choose to let it go on as if you had never arrived. That is how one respects indigenous people. If you pay any attention at all you’ll realize that you could never convert them to your way of life anyway… The point, then, is to observe the life they themselves have put in place and learn from it.” ~ from State of Wonder

About 12 years later, as I was teaching school in Longview, some very good news came out of Libya. Some young army officer named Moammar Gadhafi had overthrown that vile jerk, King Idris. I had a new hero. No doubt, he wore a little thin sometimes. There was that little matter of blasting more than 250 people out of the sky over Scotland. Americans were supposed to cheer when the Navy shot down two of Gadhafi’s jets, but I really didn’t. Libya just reminded me of Idris.

Creating a habit, like learning to ride a bike, is more of a skill than anything. It probably took practice and some instruction before the training wheels came off your bike, so be easy on yourself if you’ve struggled to make behavioral changes. With some knowledge and practice, your hair will be once again flapping in the wind like a flag and you’ll be sailing down the road with a smile of confidence.

Q: I have an acquaintance who is a vegetarian. When I made a favorite dish recently for a potluck we both attended, I used chicken stock instead of vegetable. I doubt she could tell the difference, but should I have informed her?

Paha Sapa pulls his hand back sharply but not before he feels the rattlesnake-shock of the dying Wasicun’s ghost leaping into his fingers and flowing up his arm and into his chest. The boy lurches back in horror as the ghost burns its way up through his veins and bones like so much surging venom. The Wasicun’s spirit scalds a painful path through the nerves of Paha Sapa’s shoulder and then pours out into his chest and throat … Paha Sapa can taste it. And it tastes like death. ~ from  Black Hills

I was reliving my childhood while walking around each display since many of the popular titles were ones that all of my friends enjoyed back in the day. My friend Nick Thompson, who is very competitive, accompanied me at OMSI and challenged me to every game possible, whether the game be old school or modern. The exhibit was very fun and informative, too. “Game On 2.0” includes 125 playable games that will fascinate long time fans, the family and newbies alike.

Like other gardeners in this area, I am happy to finally see some sun. My peas are obediently climbing their trellis. The corn is looking strong and healthy. The clematis I thought was dead after our cold winter is now racing to the top of the house and capturing some of my garden art in its tendrils. I’ve already watched one little family of wrens grow and fledge from the backyard bird house. Other birds are arriving with clusters of grass in their beaks and moving into unoccupied houses. Occasionally there’s a bird-sized squabble as nests are protected from possible invaders. It’s time to say “Hello” to some and “Goodbye” to others. Babies are hatching as others are nudged to take a leap of faith and step off the perch.

After the revolutionary war, the founding fathers struggled to create a unified country. It was difficult work and the issues were as hotly debated as any today. In her new book, Andrea Wulf attempts to prove the actions of the creators of our nation were motivated by their passion for plants, gardens and agriculture.