I still do the occasional travel piece for the Memphis Flyer, and one of them ran this week. It’s called the Layers of London, and it’s about finding a little treasure of a church in the old city. Enjoy.
Q&A About Self-Publishing
In my gig as Executive Director of the NW Association of Book Publishers, this week I did a Q&A about self publishing. And here it is.
Why There’s No Christmas Card in 2011
I’ve been sending out Christmas cards since 1988, and this year it’s not happening. Since I’m a little “in my head” about it, and since I attach some significance to this tradition, and since a lot of people say they look forward to it every year, I feel the need to explain myself — even if nobody feels the need to hear it.
The short answer is I just didn’t get my shit together, didn’t get a picture I felt great about, and now that it’s December I don’t want to rush it, to put in all the time and effort and cost to send out 150 cards that I don’t feel that great about, just to keep a tradition going. So I’m taking a year off.
How to Entertain an 11-Year-Old
I put up a post on Facebook that got a lot of interest andresponses. And somebody suggested I compile the comments into a list. Thequestion was, “How do you entertain a bored 11-year-old?”
I have a “little” with Big Brothers Big Sisters, andsometimes we (I) run out of ideas. My Facebook friends came through in style,and Roman has come up with some winners, as well.
What to Feed Fido
I did an article for the Memphis Flyer about best-practices for feeding your dog. Turns out that, depending on various factors, table scraps can be okay. Read all about it!
More Trails and Tables of Tuscany
In April/May 2013, I will be leading a fabulous trip to Tuscany for the Mazamas, a Portland-based hiking club. It’s a combination of hiking, food and wine, and local culture and history.
To find out more about Mazamas Outings in general, and get the forms you need to apply for the trip, visit the Outings website. To read an article I wrote about hiking in Tuscany, click here. For an example of the way we’ll be eating, click here. For an introduction to our Tuscan guide, click here. And for a light-hearted take on Tuscan Time, click here.
Brunch at Sunshine Tavern
Next time you say to somebody “Let’s go for brunch,” and they say something like, “Man, all those brunch places have big lines,” say to them, “Fret not, fine foolish friend, for we are off to Sunshine Tavern.”
New Project: Peaceful Places in Portland
I have started on a new book called Peaceful Places in Portland, to be released in the fall of 2012 by Menasha Ridge Press. For an example of what it’s all about, check out their Peaceful Places in New York book.
And so now I have a blog, where I will share some of my discoveries as I work on the book — and also seek your suggestions. Check it out over at PeacefulPortland.com. There’s even a Facebook page for the book. And for my own little intro to what it’s all about, read the first blog post, called “What is ‘Peaceful Places in Portland?‘ “
“Tuscan Trails” for the Memphis Flyer
Just in time for me to plan my 2012 trip to Tuscany – stay tuned! – here’s an article I wrote for the Memphis Flyer from last year’s trip. Enjoy.