LIVING

Health, religion, travel, family and personal style news from around Oregon

Call it beginner's luck or a beginner's mistake. Either way, my dog Arlo's recent waterfall plunge in the Columbia River Gorge is a cautionary tale for Northwest dog owners.

Since arriving in Portland last June, Arlo and I have eagerly explored the area's hiking trails. So when a friend invited us to hike the Wahkeena Trail to Multnomah Falls in early December, I happily accepted.

Continue reading "Dog's trip over waterfall has lessons for owner" »

If a beautiful model grows in a small town and no one is around to take her picture, is she still beautiful?

That is the philosophical fashion question of the day. Ponder it. Get deep. Or tune into the second season of Bravo TV's "Make Me a Supermodel."

Continue reading "Make me a supermodel" »

Which are better: books or plants? I hope I never have to choose. I do, however, have to choose which books and which plants come into my life. With the numbers of both, it gets pretty darn hard. When I was younger, I felt I had to finish any book I started. Finally -- in my mid-30s -- I gave up that idea. I started the 100-page rule.

Continue reading "Book recommendations, old and new" »

Wildlife will have more room to roam with the acquisition of the Upper Wallace and Pacific Crest Trail parcels by the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests.

The Forest Service just completed two purchases that will increase wildlife and recreational opportunities on the forest, according to Scott Lynn, Forest Service realty specialist.

Continue reading "Wild Sky wilderness grows in Washington" »

Not many foodies would have the patience to take two years to finish their kitchen, especially when they host dozens of friends -- including professional chefs -- for multi-course meals every month.

But Tanya Zumach and Matthew McCune willingly waited for just the right countertops or hand-forged copper hood -- just as they happily labor for hours to create the perfect braised pork.

Continue reading "Slow cooking: Two patient foodies remodel their kitchen" »

The squirrels are at it again. After playing hide-and-seek from the snow, ice and wind, the little scavengers seem to be extra hungry and are hitting the bird feeders hard. Anne Jaeger shares some fun information about how to thwart the squirrels at your feeders without driving yourself squirrelly.

I can't stop thinking about the prospect of a new I-5 bridge between Portland and Vancouver that would feature rows of wind turbines -- in part because the story consumes about two-thirds of The Oregonian's front page today.

Continue reading "A PDX-Vancouver bridge that creates electricity...sustainable, or just looks it?" »

The list of things I'd rather do than pump is long and decidedly uninteresting. Visit my dentist, for instance. Mow the lawn. Do my taxes. Pumping is mechanical and inconvenient, not to mention the pump is one more thing to haul to work each morning.

My Medela Pump In Style is bulky and the bag always slips off my shoulder. Cleaning the parts each night is a drag.

Continue reading "New breastpump lets nursing moms go hands-free" »

The coffee shop on the corner of Southeast Grand and Oak is not just a coffee shop. It's a front -- sort of.

A front for a workshop where dozens of craftspeople and do-it-yourselfers ply their talents in rented space filled with shared equipment and respect for what Richard Ellison and his fiancee, Rebekah Dreske, created.

Continue reading "Shop People: An incubator for artisans and DIYers" »

Kathy Laskowski has always dished out ample love -- and ample portions -- to her five children.

Stacks of buttermilk flapjacks.

Bowls of rich orzo carbonara.

Slices of homemade pies and cakes.

Around the table, the tightknit Laskowskis have shared each other's company. And now, they're beginning to share a weight problem.

Continue reading "Family not waiting to deal with weight issue" »