Today, two things happened that made me think we’re sometimes doing more harm than good when it comes to masking requirements and how we react…
(Shopping) At home for the holidays
When I was a kid, my mother would applaud retailers like Nordstrom who held all Christmas advertising and decoration until after Thanksgiving. Nordstrom’s 120-year-old tradition…
Devil’s in the details
On the other end of Oregon, in a small coastal town, a deceptively important vote is taking place tonight. The COVID age has brought out…
Death by delivery
Colorful ads for “local news” have been popping up on my iPhone lately. While I love the concept of having an up-to-date local news app…
A bitter pill
I yelled at the people who run my pharmacy this week. Well, it wasn’t exactly yelling but it was definitely an angry tirade. Staffing shortages…
A tiny minority
I am disgusted with what we’ve become. It’s all or nothing, one extreme or the other, not even a fleeting consideration that perhaps the edges…
Listening, part II: Can a white guy talk about race?
DISCLAIMER: This essay is not a condemnation of white people. It is not an attempt to deny white opinion. It is a suggestion that white…
Listening, part I: Supporting merchants of color
When members of a Facebook group to which I belong were asked if they knew of any local Black-owned businesses, the conversation immediately and predictably…
Think before you post
Recently, several people posted timely reminders for customers to be careful what they publish when it comes to reviewing local businesses. This is so important!…
Unstoppable elitists v. immovable bumpkins
This trail thing is crazy. I don’t believe the issue should’ve ever reached this point of ridiculous polarity. Why has it even become a partisan…