Bye Bye Birdie: Building a New Nest

Bye Bye Birdie: Building a New Nest

Here it is Monday, February 15, 2016 and in exactly 24 hours I will be bawling buckets of tears as my fourth, and youngest child boards the airplane, which will fly him to his future. My almost 20-year-old, my baby, is leaving the nest. My nest. I am not really sure...
How to Not Get the Bends

How to Not Get the Bends

December 8th, 2009, was the day I started at the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare here in Portland. I think that starting any new job can turn a life upside down for a while. This one fed me tequila until I couldn’t feel my face, put me on the back of an...
Back to School Guide

Back to School Guide

As the leaves change from green to yellow to red, we begin to prepare our hearts and minds for the changing of the seasons. There is no bigger change for so many families than the transition from August to September, from summer to fall, from vacation to back to...
The Peace of Predictability in Parenting

The Peace of Predictability in Parenting

Summer is filled with camps, travel, and a sort of free association with regards to scheduling. Kids love it because there is always something new and different to do each day. For me, I have mixed emotions about it. I usually have about four weeks on my own, without...
Enduring Fire Season

Enduring Fire Season

Burnout: a technique on a wildfire whereby crews ignite natural fuel just inside the control line, i.e. firebreak, to consume all said fuel between the edge of the fire and the control line. Also, burnout: exhaustion of physical or emotional strength and motivation,...
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