Advice from a small town girl

You must be stunned.

I know I am.

This week I wanted to write some humorous thoughts about how a family Christmas can go awry.

But history intervened.

It was bad enough to see news coverage of a multiple shooting incident at Clackamas Town Center, one of my favorite shopping destinations when I lived in Portland, and where I very nearly took a job. I could picture that scene, because I’ve been there.

That incident hit close to home.

Friday, I was at home all day, doing laundry and other housework, playing with the puppy and worrying about my lack of success as a dieter.

I didn’t have the news...