razor wire on a cloudy day
Razor wire crowns a barbed wire fence in Portland’s central Eastside industrial area near the eastern foot of the Ross Island Bridge. It poses a lethal-looking hazard for any person […]
Category Archives: Life
thirty years later
I’m sitting in Shari’s Restaurant in Newberg, Oregon. The Salmon dinner with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables was delicious. Thank you for asking. Looking out the window, I see sights […]
The Fremont Bridge
I love bridges. I enjoy looking at them, driving them, and photographing them. I especially like to explore perspectives we usually pass over in order to achieve the iconic shots […]
perspective
The dark skyline is foreboding. It casts a pall over the chain link fence. Razor wire mocks would be escapees. Passersby scurry on, eager to leave the dismal scene, all […]
minor character in the community subplot
Another night of basketball with the neighbor youth. Six kids. Two coaches in addition to me. Good attitudes and effort. A marked contrast to last week’s experience. This week was […]
keeping it real
In recent months the phrase keeping it real has infiltrated my vocabulary and thinking. I use it to refer to those moments when heart-level candor has entered the conversation. It’s […]
beautiful brokenness
Last Wednesday I shared parts of my story with realtYouth, the student ministry of Portland Open Bible Church. I touched on three seasons: childhood, junior high, and high school. My […]
when friends become family
When does a friend become family? Pressure can offer such an opportunity. For example, a friend may become family when his devotion survives false accusation and rejection, and when he […]
rooted dreams
A young family was on a mission trip to give clothing to impoverished tribal Indians in Arizona and just across the border in Mexico. Circa 1969. Hot. Endless desert. Parched […]
workplace credibility
I’ve worked in the flooring industry for over twenty years. Wholesale, retail, sales, warehouse, and now as a full-time truck driver. It’s a large industry with complex relational connections. Having […]
