Embrace Boredom! The photo on the left is taken from Jake’s cafe patio. The painting on the right is a work-in-progress, an outline of what might eventually emerge on my canvas. I’ve been working on it for two days and

SHOCKED Words may not mean what you think they do Though language is constantly evolving, I don’t always like it. But to understand what young people are saying, I’m forced to stay up with the times. I’m not talking about

Grand Prize More than thirty years ago, Martin Eichinger was invited to meet Stevie Wonder at a preview showing of the documentary, “The Secret Life of Plants.” Though an unusual gathering took place before the screening with women waiting outside

Five Men in a Tub is my version of the rhyme Political and social poetry are not new genres. Poets of every generation marked historical moments with poems critical of society. Nursery rhymes often conveyed hidden messages that spoke to

The Orator Does he stand on his soapbox hoping his complaints will be heard by people who will do something about them? Or, does he just want to vent and have others agree with him?  Do older Americans complain more

 GOLDEN PRINCESS She is your daughter, granddaughter, neighbor’s child, or young friend struggling to become a confident woman ready that moves the world forward.  Girls have to navigate the murky waters of adolescence earlier than they did in past generations.

BLUE BIRDS The smell of fresh-cut grass, bluebirds nesting in a nearby tree, and cherry blossoms floating in the wind against a bright blue sky are things that inspire awe,  giving joy for the majesty of the earth. Awe: Isn’t

Don’t be Fooled Earth Mother: Is a Utopian Future Possible? Don’t be fooled! The human species has flung the planet into an era propelled by human behavior rather than biological evolution. They have reshaped the map into urban areas, croplands,

Spring Snow on Oak Trees Portland residents were sequestered in March three years ago. It snowed that day with jonquils peeking through to remind me that life is cyclical. As did many of my friends, I expected the pandemic to

Spring holidays abound worldwide. It’s the time when Farmers plow in anticipation of spring plantings. Jewish people gather for Passover, an eight-day holiday celebrating the cycle of life. It is also a reminder of surviving slavery in Egypt. WHether this