Blum A few days ago I sat inside the Blue Valley Bistro (formerly known as The Creswell Café) for the first time in seven months. A swarm of good memories came over me, as I realized how much has changed during the pandemic. Here is a little something I wrote after[Read More…]
Author: JOEY BLUM for The Chronicle
Gosh, golly and gee whiz!
Blum Last week, a friend sent me a link to a website mapping America’s use of swear words. According to the website, Oregonians curse less than much of the country. I’m not going to write the words here, you know them all, but if you want to tickle your brains,[Read More…]
Random thoughts after a trip to Mary’s Peak
I dedicate this piece to Otto, Malcolm, Aubrielle, Emiliano, and Glenn, “Pandemic” babies born to friends and family. Joey Blum In 30 years of living in Oregon, I had never visited Mary’s Peak until last Monday. “The native Kalapuya called the Peak tcha Timanwi, or ‘place of spiritual power.’” Southwest of[Read More…]
Lessons in political science – and reality
The late erudite news anchor, Peter Jennings, once said, “Presidents come and go, usually doing less good than you hoped they might, and less harm than you feared they could.” My first lesson in political science came in the seventh grade at a Friday school assembly. Two candidates earnestly spoke[Read More…]
Gossip: The world’s second-oldest profession thrives on social media
Gossip may not be the “world’s oldest profession,” but it may be the second. I’m sure there was a source in the Garden of Eden who broke the story about Eve and the apple. I’m thinking it was the snake (#Eve). We, the public, “love us some dirt” but usually[Read More…]
Blatherers, snake handlers, and the reptilian brain
There are a lot of angry people around. I understand that there have been severe stressors in the past year, from COVID-19 to wildfires to political debates – but all the anger isn’t helping anything. The angriest people I know follow the “News,” whether on TV, the internet, radio or[Read More…]
Hold on to your hat: Here’s to eating a hot dog in a hurricane
Joey Blum I dedicate this piece to: Matt, Lily, Miles, Kyle, Isaac, Kate, Casey, Brett, Jake, and the many other firefighters I know working tirelessly and protecting us from the fires raging across Oregon. You have my admiration and gratitude. And to: Nick “The Trainer Dude” Hammond, whom I profiled[Read More…]
‘Trainer dude’ proud, poised
Nick and his son practice poses – a family tradition. Whether you’re deeply in or have brushed up against the fitness or bodybuilding world in the lower Willamette Valley, you have probably heard the name Nick The Trainer Dude. “NTTD” is Nick Hammond, a longtime Springfield resident. Nick’s training gym[Read More…]
The rise of sugar raises questions
Joey Blum In a recent Blue Paper, the National Academy of Nutritional Sciences addressed the rise of sugar consumption in the United States. Said N.A.N.S., “Main-street America’s food supply is changing rapidly with sugar distribution outlets leading the charge. It seems like every town now has a “Candy” store and[Read More…]
Kingdoms, pandemics and the search for a lion
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the corner of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not pick your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and[Read More…]
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