The Field Trip

They were both in the science club and the band, neither of them was popular nor had access to any of the popular cliques. But they were the kind that didn’t care too much about that as long as they kept clear of the school bullies.

Ron still had problems with them at times because being of just less than average height, thin and unathletic, wearing glasses that were a little too thick, and perhaps a few steps too far from their aggressive male stereotype. He made a good target. Alicia didn’t seem to mind the teasing she faced, however. She had a pleasant face, dark blond hair that curled naturally but just a little too much to manage and was what a polite adult would call “heavy set.” 

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Four North

“441B North to X-ray,” Mr. McKee called out, hanging up the phone and turning to us who were sitting around, a bit cramped in the office/mailroom that was our base. It was a slow morning so most of us were there. Mr. McKee was great, a career Army noncom, retired after decades serving. Among ourselves, we called him Sarge. He was infallibly fair, almost unflappable, and when he did get frustrated, he was careful not to direct it at anyone (in the room, anyway) and came up with some creative, colorful, expressions to express his displeasure that were always acceptable in mixed company.

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Graduations 2025

Banks, Ore. HS Graduation

Some photos from the Banks, Oregon High School graduation and Portland Coummunity College’s 2025 Commencement ceremony. As with high school sports, it’s impossible for me to take pictures at one of these events without getting caught up in it. The huge meaning it has for so many people radiates so strongly the power is impossible to escape.

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Images of Hawaii

Magic Sands Beach, Kona Coast
A collection of images, mostly from the Big Island, from some of my trips there. After going the usual tourist route, starting with Waikiki and then Maui, we fell in love with the Big Island (the one named “Hawaii”). It felt more like we thought Hawaii should feel like. The people were wonderful and lot of them were actually born there.

Kona, where we mostly staid, has a comfortable, small-town feel to it. There aren’t many broad, white beaches there. Most are just lava boulders, but the ones that are there are fantastic. The island’s main city is Hilo on its eastern coast.

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Changing wireless carriers? What to know before you go!

old phone

The process can be a lot smoother and faster if you come prepared. You can do the most time-consuming parts before you get to the store. More importantly, you can avoid having to go back to complete the process.

I recently changed back to my original carrier after trying out a new one. (My neighborhood has awful cell reception, being blocked by a hill.) It was a case of, “I should have learned from the last time,” I didn’t, but here’s a simple rundown of steps so you can.

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Just Friends

old park bench

Edith stood up abruptly and smoothed her skirt, though it was the kind of pleated wool, tartan plaid that had no need of smoothing. It was just an unconscious motion she performed, like a nonverbal paragraph break. It let her remove herself from the preceding few minutes and begin a new subject. She was doing what she was brought up to do. She turned and looked down at him, still sitting on the park bench and told him matter-of-factly, “As I said, we’re just friends.” She only looked at him long enough to complete that brief statement before she turned to walk away down the quiet path that led out of the park.

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