To a T

I used to think Oregon's state motto: "She Flies With Her Own Wings" was silly. Seemed to me it should be: "Live and Let Live" for that is truly the way Oregonians conduct their lives.

"Do your own thing, I'll do mine and leave me the hell alone." ha.

Well, not quite but for the most part, yes, Oregonians don't like to be told what to do, how to do it or when.

So I got to thinking about the state motto again. And the more I did, the more it made sense.

Oregonians are known mavericks; trail blazers; the first to forge ahead on many fronts.

We go our own way and make no apologies. In light of that, I came to see how our state motto fits us to a t.

We may fly by the seat of our pants, at times, but we definitely fly with our own wings!

Party Schmarty!

Maybe it's because I'm an artist. (love my solitude!)

Maybe it's because I'm over 50. (been there, done that!)

Maybe it's because in my line of work, teaching adults, I get to interact with so many different people. And lecturing is exhausting.

Or maybe it's because I have better things to do.

Truth is, I don't care for parties anymore! Crowded social events filled with people I don't know or want to, making small talk, just does not appeal to me.

I'd much rather listen to music, sipping liqueur at an intimate venue or stay home curled up with a good book and a warm cupppa tea.

Ahhhhmen!

"So what!?"

It's a sad day for America when a national ad (Dunkin' Donuts) gets pulled because the popular TV spokeswoman (Rachel Ray) is wearing a scarf with fringe (that looks) similar to what Arabs wear.

In the eternal words of Dick Cheney, 'So what!?' For goodness sake's, it's just a scarf that an unwitting stylist provided.

Have Americans become so paranoid as to read into a piece of cloth more than the fashion statement it was intended to be?

Sad, indeed!

Cheap or Frugal?

There's a difference between being cheap and frugal. Cheap brags about being cheap while frugal is a quiet knowing of how to stretch a buck without having to tell everyone.

Cheap never splurges or allows niceties. Frugal is a balance between good budgeting and periodic indulgence, knowing a treat is the reward for smart spending.

Cheap is repeatedly buying something of lesser value and wondering why it doesn't last. Frugal is knowing that to spend a little bit more now will save a lot more later.

Cheap is charging friends to go to your party. Frugal is saving up for it all year so loved ones can celebrate YOU without footing the bill.

Cheap never sleeps; frugal rests well.

Memorial Day

Ah, holidays...when most people leave town making Portland even quieter than usual. Since those with children take advantage of long weekends to hit the beach or the mountains, we choose not to.

Life goes on in the city but at a slower, more leisurely pace; it's so easy to get around. Even with exhorbitant fuel prices, vacationers are still doing what they do every year: they go away.

Hooray for us who stay!

North, South, East, West!

In one week, we went from woolens to linens to woolens. Oh, my!

That's Oregon...unseasonably cool or hot but mostly unpredictable.

I actually like it. For one thing, our weather is never boring. It's not unusual to experience extreme temperature fluctuations like last week--from 60's to 90's--which makes living here very interesting.

Truth is, I wouldn't live where the weather was perpetually the same and the seasons, indistinguishable.

Like everything else in life, I suppose it's because we are all creatures of habit and products of our environment. Having lived north of the 45th parallel my whole life probably explains why a change of seasons and temperatures is so vital to me.

I need variety.

I love the rain on my face, sun on my back and wind in my hair. I need the cold as much as I need the warmth.

But had I grown up in the South, I'd probably love seeing the Big Yellow Orb, day in and day out, living in lightweight clothing twelve months of the year.

For my skin's sake, I'm glad I was born a Northerner. And for my soul's sake,

I'm glad I live Out West!

If You Could...

There's a question many interviewers ask their subjects that I find very intriguing. Posed mostly to famous people, older celebrities who claim to know a thing or two as they look back in retrospect, that question is:

"If you could, what would you tell your Younger Self?"

If I could, I'd tell my Younger Self,

"It's okay not to know who you are in your twenties. It is the rare few who do.

Whatever you do, go and see as much as you can while you are young and unattached. Travel the world for it is in those adventures, your Authentic Self will emerge.

While it's true the world will always be there (or so we hope!) to explore, it is infinitely easier to travel freely and unencumbered by responsibilities and kid$.

And for goodness sake, quit worrying about finding The One...and marriage. You have the rest of your life to be married...if that's what you ultimately want.

Life will unfold accordingly, the good, bad and ugly. But all of it will serve you well and you will survive to become who you are today."

With all its bumps and travails, life did unfold and I'm all the better for having wondered and wandered.