Month: November, 2022

Invitation To Divide
Editorial Page

Invitation To Divide

The Vashon Loop has a fun series called, “What Brought You to the Island?” Such arrival stories often include surprising and unique details, but there is also a common thread – a desire for community. What is community? Is it the mere presence of other human beings? Is it the roads, mailboxes, parks, and stores?…

What Brought Me to the Island
Arrival Stories

What Brought Me to the Island

The most obvious method whereby I arrived here is “by boat,” which is, I admit, a dreadful and dreadfully weak attempt at humor, for which I blame a certain recalcitrant eight year-old in my head, who refuses to grow up, and who will not go away, either. I could also blame my father, who, like…

Llaughing Llamas Chronicles
Commentary, Llaughing Llamas

Llaughing Llamas Chronicles

The story I want to share this month is a simple one. Do you remember the man, named Carl, who had hearing aids in both ears? He always told the best Dad Jokes ever. One day, he was at the Senior Center telling jokes around the room. But all you could hear was the punch…

Editorial Page

Code of Ethics – Delegate Carefully

When people talk about “trusting the experts,” what they’re really talking about is delegating decision-making to someone else. Sometimes this makes sense, sometimes it doesn’t, but in all cases … it’s an illusion. Our decisions are always our own, including a decision to follow another person’s lead. Life is challenging. Anyone telling you it isn’t…

Self-Sufficiency for You and Your Family
Island Resilience

Self-Sufficiency for You and Your Family

Self-Sufficiency is a broad topic that is sometimes misunderstood. Being self-sufficient means being able to provide for one’s needs, current and future, and for emergencies without needing to be reliant upon others for support. In some circles, the topic of self-sufficiency may elicit visions of selfishness and self-centeredness. Self-sufficiency may be perceived this way because…

What Is Causing My Pain?
Health Matters

What Is Causing My Pain?

Pain in the body can be a complex situation. However, if you are able to clear the interference and give your body a chance to heal on its own, pain can be easily reduced. Your body has an amazing innate ability to heal itself if you know the tools to help.  Chiropractic care can offer…

Island Voices

Washington State Parents Get a Seat at the Table

I have good news for Washington State parents. On September 30, a text came from my friend who is a Washington school board president. He was in the middle of a virtual meeting for the Washington State School Directors Association general assembly.  WSSDA is the association that oversees and governs all 295 state school boards….

Ode to Sheba the Brave
Island Voices

Ode to Sheba the Brave

Sheba the Brave captured my heart the first time I met her. A brown tabby who looked more ocelot than cat, we greeted each other, she on her stool and me on my chair, knees to front paws. Suddenly, she stood and crawled into my lap. Her foster mom exclaimed, “I’ve never seen her do…

Staying Healthy With the Season
Health Matters

Staying Healthy With the Season

This time of year, many folks eat too much around the holidays. Our eating patterns are erratic, and we have a tendency to overindulge. So, I am sharing some suggestions around eating well and eating strategically to maintain health and wellness. This is a fun time of year to treat ourselves right. Hopefully, we can…

Island Businesses

From the Roasterie

The fire is glowing in the bookstore – the café is bustling with people coming in from the cold to warm up for a bit on their way to other places. All our coffee has finally arrived from its long trip along the roads, on boats and trains. The coffee is quite delicious and bright…

1 2 3