Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… it has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival. C. S. Lewis Here in the US we celebrate Thanksgiving Day this week. It always pains me when I hear it called “turkey day;” which implies a bit of extravagant consumption…
This week in The Pearl – November 21, 2025
A sure sign of the seasons is that the crows are returning, I have seen them flying by the window just after sunset. During spring and summer we only see the occasional crow in our part of The Pearl. Then in the winter, the tree right outside our window becomes a communal roost for the…
TheTravelsketcher’s Tuesday – Finding peace
“Naturally, the more attention one gives to the deplorable conditions outside the less one is able to enjoy what peace and liberty he (she) possesses. Even if it be heaven we find ourselves in, we can render it suspect and dubious.” Henry Miller, Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch, 1957 My contemplation of…
This week in The Pearl – November 14, 2025
Another eclectic week. Friday evening we went to a birthday party with friends, and met a couple of new friends. Then Sunday we had a Christopherson family gathering here in The Pearl. Always good to get everyone together. A couple of weeks ago I posted about the Urban Sketchers Portland event at Directors Park where…
The Travelsketcher’s Tuesday – Reviewing a pen
Last week I was contacted by Alizza, from Ellington Pens. She had read my post about traveling with pens and she wanted to know if I would be interested in reviewing one of their fountain pens. If you follow this blog you know there is no way I would say no to a free pen….
theTravelsketcher 