Last week Gloria Steinem died. She spent her life working to improve the plight of women. Many of the improvements, inadequate as they are, that have been made in the last 50 years are the results of her efforts, sadly she is gone, and the situation is far from as it should be. One of…
This week in The Pearl – September 3, 2026
We spent most of this week in Newberg cat sitting for Alexis & Joe while they went north for a wedding in Seattle and a few days on San Juan Island. We went out for a couple of meals, but didn’t cook until yesterday when we were back home. This week was not conducive for…
Thoughts from theTravelsketcher – September 1, 2026
“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and one another.” Chris Maser, Forest Primeval The multiple massive fires, the smoke clogged air-quality, thousands of people fleeing their homes looking for shelter, generations of precious memorabilia wiped out, pets and animals…
This week in The Pearl – August 27, 2026
This was a week with plenty of “best moments.” My birthday is August 18, my oldest friend, Tim, has his on the 21st so we often have celebrations that are connected. This year, Lisa, Tim’s wife, put together quite a surprise for Tim. Tricia and I were in on it from the start, and sworn…
Thoughts from theTravelsketcher – August 24, 2026
There is nothing like a new notebook to mark a change in direction. Sadly, my favorite Pentalic was not available, so I am trying a Leuchtturm1917. “TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday” is evolving into “Thoughts from theTravelsketcher” which will most likely be posted on Mondays, except when it is not. Phil Rosenthal encourages people to travel by saying,…
theTravelsketcher 