Category Archives: Living My Life

Metabolizing the minutes

Posted on November 29, 2019 by hessd

Neaera H. It used to be that I stayed up till all hours and still felt time-starved, none of the day seemed to be metabolized into living.  Now the minutes make me strong. Here is my text for the day.  … Continue reading →

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When meaning gets thin

Posted on November 19, 2019 by hessd

I have been working for some years now on Ursula LeGuin’s book, The Farthest Shore. There is a lot to like about the book. It is the third of her EarthSea Trilogy. [1] I liked it first because it was … Continue reading →

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I wanna be a hero

Posted on October 16, 2019 by hessd

I don’t know how it is with girls, but there is a persistent attraction among adolescent boys toward “heroism.” It can take really ugly forms as well as really attractive ones. I think there is nothing good or bad about … Continue reading →

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8.6667

Posted on September 16, 2019 by hessd

The first time I saw this wonderful cartoon, I thought it was just funny, The second time, I thought it was witty and funny—not at all a common combination. I still think it is witty and funny—the whole Olympic gesture … Continue reading →

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Selling Providence

Posted on September 15, 2019 by hessd

In these brief comments, I reflect on the way Providence (formally Providence Health and Services) markets itself.  At every Providence site I have seen—and I have seen many in the Portland area—these five framed posters are displayed.  It is a … Continue reading →

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A very good kind of place

Posted on September 1, 2019 by hessd

In Portland, Oregon, where I live, there is a section of North Portland called St. Johns.  St. Johns is a pleasant bike ride from my neighborhood and my brother, Mark, and I rode up there today with the idea of … Continue reading →

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And thank you, Mr. Tweedly

Posted on July 21, 2019 by hessd

My niece, Lisa Hess (thank you, Lisa) reignited our family’s love of Stan Freberg’s humor this week.  For her, the occasion was a meeting with women writers in which she was supposed to “share something that shaped my love of … Continue reading →

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Signs of Scotland

Posted on June 4, 2019 by hessd

You wouldn’t think it would be that hard.  You start in…oh…York, England and drive about 200 miles north and somewhere in there, before you get to Edinburgh, Scotland, you should see a sign that says “Welcome to Scotland” or some … Continue reading →

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Posted on June 3, 2019 by hessd

The Battle of Culloden, 1746 I had a chance to visit the battlefield this year. “Culloden”—just the name itself—has the kind of clout that an American might feel about “Gettysburg.” [1] It’s a big deal. This is the piece of … Continue reading →

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Fan base

Posted on March 6, 2019 by hessd

“There’s such a thing as loyalty,” snapped the angry Jane Studdock. There is, ma’am,” returned Andrew McPhee, “As you get older, you will learn that it is a virtue too important to be lavished on individual personalities.” [1] I am … Continue reading →

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