Portland Will Not Be Silent

Friend's Well-organized Workshop Is Impressive

When I saw my friend's woodworking tools I realized he had a side to his personality I had not anticipated.

We Drove Somewhere as a Family: Truth

Latest Op-ed

In July the Israeli Knesset will debate annexation of parts of the West Bank. This bodes ill for Palestinians and those who are hoping Israel’s settlements and occupation won’t be legitimized. 

To read my latest op-ed about the tragedy of US Jews being linked to an Israel that hopes to continue occupation for generations to come, click this link. 

Social Distance On Snow

I remember hearing about restrictions on gatherings the first week in March. The next day I went skiing mid-week with a buddy. There were probably several thousand people on the mountain that day – not particularly crowded, but not to the standard of social distancing. I ate lunch well within six feet of others and rode a chair or two with strangers without face coverings.

A week later the ski resort closed and the reality of quarantine sank in.

The above is a parking permit for winter recreation. On Mt. Hood the ski resorts are built on Forrest Service land requiring the above permit.

I realized today that the permit in the car window was becoming a reminder of all the fun I missed as March is the peak of the season, so I took it down.

I’ve heard that a few western resorts opened for the last weekends in May – Mt. Hood Meadows not being one of them.

I put my skis away in April and dream of next year.

Tough Realities of Quarantine

Sold out of the kid's favorite yerba mate.

Oregon Strategy for Coronavirus

I saw this graphic today in Willamette Week. I am thankful for a clear explanation of what is being done here.

I understand that widespread testing will not happen. Ever.

Today there are 163 people in Oregon hospitalized for COVID, the lowest number since March, I think. The outer counties are opening up today, while the populous ones have a few more weeks to go.

Let's hope all goes smoothly and there is no recurrence.

Things That Make A Difference (Not Really)

I get angry about the world. Things just aren't what they should be.

I complain. Stew. Ruminate. Fume.

To try and counter all this negativity I've taken the advice to try and show gratitude.

So here goes: Gratitude for the hydraulic disc brakes on my bicycle as my ride environment is wet and hilly.

I suspect the gratitude prescription should be to acknowledge the relationships in my life, but one has to start somewhere.

Essential Equipment for My Existence

Happy Birthday!

We were all going to travel and have a special celebration with our niece, but it was not to be.

We send her love from the Soggy Northwest and hope the murder hornets don't end up in her neighborhood.

Quarantine Haircuts

Fashion is a passion here in our mossy nook of the Pacific Northwest.

Eating Less Meat Continues

One of the benefits of quarantine is that I’ve been reading more books. Recently I completed “This Land: How Cowboys, Capitalism, and Corruption are Ruining the American West” by Christopher Ketcham.

The author makes a strong statement how corporate agriculture is ruining our public lands. For this reason, I’m trying to eat less meat.

That, and also the thought that meat processing plants are hotbeds of COVID-19, they treat workers and animals cruelly, and the products are potentially unhealthy with antibiotics and drugs given to the livestock.

The above are fake nuggets which taste about as good as a nugget can (I’m not a nugget guy). The kids really like them.  

So much of food is mouthfeel and texture, not things exclusive to meat.

I’ll keep everyone updated about my eating habits here as the internet requires it.

Kid Launches Victory Over Coronavirus Tomato Plants

The kid want to grow some of the food we eat. Under his inspiration, we got started with two tomato plants

When Trying To Eat Less Meat Goes Wrong

This product was not a hit with the family to the point that jackfruit is now a punchline.