SLOWER

Before I thought of myself as a writer, I thought of myself as an artist—not incompatible identities. Among the many lessons I learned as a visual artist that also apply to literary arts: slow down. Wait. Wait. Wait. The eye (thought) moves faster than the hand on the page; you have to slow down so …

FRESH BREAD

This is what happens when you bake weekly for almost three years. A high rounded loaf just the way you assumed it would come out of the oven. Without support beyond experience, bread is the result of healthy ingredients and practice. That's the way life goes, I think. We work at it, do the best …

SEVENTY

Yes, today I am a septuagenarian, seventy years old. (Please don't say "seventy years young"—I find that too sticky-cute and somewhat insulting. I've earned my years.) I made myself an applecake yesterday evening so that we could have it for breakfast after my run this morning. I used heritage pink apples gifted by a friend …

HOMELESS

No answers, but some observations. I've been irritated since the other day when Apartment Therapy did a feature on a perfectly serviceable walk-in closet remodel for a mere $4500 (wallpaper, paint, cabinets), plus the two chandeliers that a commenter found cost $2k, each. Yes, the newly redone closet looks very nice, but it's a closet …

RUNNING A RACE

The Great Columbia Crossing, a 10k run mostly on the Megler Bridge, limited entries this year to 3,500. It filled last month. We started on the Washington side at Dismal Nitch, ran west a mile to the first suspension section on the north side of the Columbia River, over that and then south three miles …

CLEANING HOUSE, pt. 2

One day I only sorted a single box, the next day I powered through six. Negatives and family photos defy intentions. Nevertheless, I have made progress even during a "Very Bad Week." My grandfather's canes and my dad's fishing poles remain undisturbed, but the stacks of boxes on the bed are gone, and some of …