I saw someone post a “Never Forget” 9/11 Facebook frame on their profile pic this morning, and I immediately assumed it was the equivalent to a butt dial or pocket post.  It must have been a mistake because there’s no way it’s already 9/11. Ant yet, here we are.  The last few days have been… Continue reading #OregonisBurning

Geez Louise, it’s been a crazy few days.   On Friday, we headed out into the PNW wild for some Bustache Adventuring and river-side camping.  This holiday weekend was shaping up to be the hottest we’d experienced here in Oregon, with temperatures reaching near triple digits. Over the next 3 days, we had a grand time… Continue reading Hazy Heap

Wow.  Thank you everyone for the incredible support and words of encouragement on my posts about sobriety!  I am just blown away by your virtual love.  Regular Sierra just wants to go hide under some blankets now, and call it a month… Sober Sierra says, “No,” though.   I wish I could be cool and say… Continue reading Risky and Wild

When I was getting sober in early 2019, I used to pretend to be somebody else.  Her name was “Sober Sierra,” and she did all sorts of things Regular Sierra was too afraid to do. This was actually a legitimate coping mechanism suggested by a therapist and reinforced by a 12-Step idiom – Act ‘as… Continue reading Sober Sierra and The Phoenix

Despite everything going on in the world, July 2020 was a big month of milestones for us.  Westi turned 10 years old – officially landing her in Senior Dog territory and securing her a daily pill regime that is supposed to keep the “pep in her step.”  I got my 18 month sobriety chip, though… Continue reading Best Laid Plans

Update from Camp Quarantine – It’s rained every day in June.  Apparently, it’s called “Junuary” or something, and it is quite confounding to these SoCal transplants.  Steve’s recent observation – “I think we just live in a cloud.” But we soldier on and adapt.  We build fires… We eat by fire.  Work by fire. Exercise… Continue reading Rain & Fire

When your Pops offers some poignant and positive parental perspective on the precipice of a pandemic. “Isn’t life amazing, you just can’t stop it!” 🌲💚🌱 #natureisfreakinlit #johnmuirakadadwisdom

So now that I’ve waxed poetic about our first Portland abode, I must tell you why we left it. For one, our 2-month lease was up May 1st.  For two, we realized that, while we *think* we really love Portland, it’s certainly not the right time to experience its full glory.  With non-existent work travel,… Continue reading Camp Quarantine

After 11+ years in Orange County, Steve and I donated most of our belongings and moved to Portland, OR.  We arrived on March 1.  Ten days later, we were essentially locked-down.  A global pandemic certainly didn’t align with our plans for a new start in a new city.  It has limited our opportunities to get… Continue reading Delight at a Distance

Spring in Portland is like nothing we have ever experienced. Our restricted, but daily walks with Westi have given us an intimate look at our neighborhood landscape. We keep things interesting by picking a color and finding flowers that correspond with said hue. I then compile them into a daily collage. This is the result… Continue reading Spring Scavenger Hunt