He’s a senior in high school, he’s black, and he works at Chipotle four evenings a week. He chops lettuce and tomatoes, grills steak. He ...

This morning, as the dog and I walked after breakfast, the neighborhood streets were again quiet. Magnolia flowers ready to open. The ear...

Here in Portland, Oregon, in January, the days are short, grey, and wet. More rain this year than last, my goodness. Rain almost every da...

Just finished writing a novel, after several years of work on it. Stacks of drafts surround this desk, the house is quiet, and after a we...

I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide. — Harpe...

Summer in sight. Tomatoes on their way. Time to slow down some, and here this afternoon, time to think about a few places on this planet ...

Yesterday morning your mom and I walked with you beside the Metolius River. We’ve taken you there since you were little and riding on my ...

Last night at dinner my son asked me, “When were you most scared?” “You mean, today?” “In your whole life.” We were eating pasta and gree...

Computers are useless — all they can give you are answers. — Picasso When I had no roof I made/Audacity my roof. — Robert Pinsky What his...

A neighbor from down the street walks his dog, too. Now and then we see each other and keep the strutting beasts apart, but we raise a ha...

The dog and I step outside for our morning walk. We go down the front steps, turn into the driveway, and there on the sidewalk is a woman...

For about twenty-five years I’ve collected words on writing. From books, articles, overheard remarks at readings. These words aren’t abou...

My Grown-up Granddaughter Asks The Ganges at dusk? Machu Picchu at dawn? Dear, I am happiest listening to Grandma sing off-key in the tub...

At the first Wordstock Book Festival in 2005, I was Kent Haruf’s chauffeur. As a writer in the schools, I’d heard that the festival organ...

Walked half-numb two and a half years ago into a classroom at Benson High School here in Portland, Oregon. Opened my satchel, got out my ...

A few weeks ago a friend looked me in the eye and said that he feels depressed about these times. I had never seen this guy look quite th...

In late August of 2013, I walked with some writer friends around Mount Hood. This website features a few photos taken by one of those wri...

It’s all right to let people miss you a little now and then. The Age of over-Sharing and Self-aggrandizement. (ASS) Excessive cleverness...

I open the door and turn on the light. Switch off the nightlight and open the blinds. I go over and rest my hand on the warm blanket over...

When I was little, my mother and I lived in a rental house three doors down from a windowless tavern. Drunk men sang and fought in the al...