So here’s the thing! I have shallow roots. In fact, I work to maintain shallow roots. I’m pretty sure it started when I was a child; forced to move many, many times as part of a horribly dysfunctional family with two alcoholic parents. I can’t even remember how many elementary schools I attended. I think …more

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Last week I took advantage of a cool, clear day to head for the hills. During winter months in western Oregon, such days are at a premium, not to be wasted. Just at the edge of town, a popular county park beckons me. Trails wind up the slope about 1.5 miles to a soft, open …more

Habitat for Humanity’s RV Care-A-Vanners are some of the most important contributors to helping make Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live a reality. These road warriors — more than 5,000 volunteers — have seized on a unique combination of the call of the open road and the call …more

Several years ago I decided to celebrate my retirement with a new car. My wife and I had been sharing one, and I’d hesitated to purchase another for my exclusive use because we lived downtown and parking was difficult. Our house was nearly a hundred years old with a narrow garage carved out of the …more

Every year about this time, families all over the world get together to share the holidays. For many, it is a great time for memories and catching up, reconnecting with family members seeing the grandchildren as they grow, welcoming new people into the family and so on. Unfortunately there are thousands of other families who …more

We’re here! The bags have been unpacked, the clothes put away and the neighbors sufficiently greeted and acknowledged. The coverings have been taken off the furniture and the cable TV service has been restored. All is ready for another six months. We are back in Arizona for the winter. This will be our thirteenth winter …more

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Can you retire early and/or without a large fund to cover expenses? Yes. Can you do this overseas? probably even more easily than at home. My husband and I are still not old enough to collect Social Security and have kept our retirement savings intact on just his small early-retirement pension even though we have …more

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I woke up. I had been dreaming about Tupperware. The two quart green one with yellow, orange, and green pint sized ones inside. I had lost a lid and wrote to Tupperware: With pen, paper and a stamp, and in no time, had a brand new lid, but alas it was clear. No colour. My …more