August is National Dog Month —kind of appropriate with it also being the dog days of summer. I’m the proud grand dog mother to an...

I’m having fun in the forest like I did as a kid. I’m forging trails through our acreage just for the delight of seeing the wildlife use...

A red, white, and blue “Welcome Back Class of ‘76!” banner hung over the double doors of a large banquet room. Photo name tags were on...

The eyes looking at me above the surgical mask were reassuring. “Your baby girl is strong. She’s going to be just fine.” Those are the...

Having taken spring quarter off to get married, Tom and I enrolled in summer school to keep pace with our graduation goals. Our...

I’m one of those people who will click through each one my friend’s dozens of vacation pictures posted on Facebook. I love seeing what...

When my daughter was young, we always celebrated her half-year birthday. People with birthdays around Christmas understand how underrated...

A few weeks ago, I was driving along Liberty Bay Road (near the town of Poulsbo) when I had a Deja vu moment. I slowed down as I...

It was a blistering hot Spokane day when Roy and his girlfriend Linda hopped on his motorcycle and left the city behind heading towards...

After my granddaughter’s gymnastics, she’d always ask to go to the park next door—even in the winter. When you’re a high energy child,...

Hi Orion, You were just starting middle school when I began taking weekly bus trips to see you. I loved being there when you got out of...

Back when I was in my early thirties, we moved into a home, nestled in a group of well-established neighbors. It was one of...

This is the photo that broke off a piece of my heart and changed me. The American flag placed in the hands of the mother of a soldier...

I’ve been inside the Madison Diner just a few times—but I’ll always remember those moments when fresh made, real ice-cream milkshakes...

Special celebrations became more so, knowing time was no longer on our side. 1989 Back in 1974… Mom was creeping slowly along a woodland...

Sitting still was not something Gail could do. She tried, though. When circumstances brought her and her older sister to the convent...

Mom didn’t fully approve of my decision to get married. It wasn’t about my marrying Tom but marrying too young. I understood her...

You’ve heard of preacher’s kids, I’m a librarian’s kid. Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s libraries were in transition—or at least my mom,...

I was walking behind my mother-in-law and her longtime friend as they slowly made their way towards their apartments. They have lived...

I wish the phrase “thoughts and prayers” hadn’t become so tainted by having it said too often without much hope for real answers. I’m one...