About Portland Firefly
Welcome Readers!
In this weblog, I’ll be sharing some thoughts about personal growth. It is essential to examine the past in order to get the most benefit from the growth opportunities presented to us; and so part of this blog will also be autobiographical and it is in those segments that you will learn more about me.
My move to the beautiful Northwest was the result of a wonderful love affair. Not one of mine, but the love between my Son & Daughter-in-Law! As is common for many men –young or old or in between— he was just not ready to commit. She knew exactly what she wanted –a life with him– and when it wasn’t forthcoming, she moved 1800 miles away where no family was located, only a dear friend, to beautiful Portland, Oregon. Needless to say, since I have already called her my Daughter-in-Law you know that she eventually married my Son. When my first Grand-baby was on the way, I moved here, too!
Actually, now that I think about it, my move to the Northwest was also the result of one of my love affairs. It was the last love affair I had ever wanted to have in my life. I was madly in love with him and we were married. But he is one of those men that should never have ever married –I should have listened to his daughter 13 years earlier– she knew his propensities better than I did! And so the devastating divorce helped propel me closer to my birth roots of Southern California after living in the Midwest for nearly half of my life.
I will say that in my years of travels, I had always loved coming to Portland, but living here is a totally different experience. After years of harsh Midwestern winters and stifling, buggy summers I find Oregon to be the United States most beautiful state.
For those of you who found Portland Firefly through Google or another link, here is the direct link to my website: www.pdxfirefly.com. You can also click on ”PDXFirefly’s Weblog” at the top of this page to go to my posts. Please visit as often as you like & I encourage you to comment and I have made it as easy as I could for you to do so (no registration necessary).
Welcome Aboard and let’s have a wonderful Flight of Self-Discovery!!!
sam sanchez/ rich montoya said,
September 26, 2008 at 1:39 pm
IT WAS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU AT THE REUNION. A SHAME WE DID NOT HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT—-EVERBODY LOVED YOUR RENDITION OF JULIE ANDREWS IN THE SOUND OF MUSIC. I AM VISITING WITH RICH MONTOYA TODAY IN SAN CLEMENTE AND SHARED YOUR YOUTHFULLNESS AND VIBRANCY.
HOPE TO MAINTAIN CONTACT
SAM SANCHEZ (562) 455-6080
SSANCHES@NETZERO.COM
pdxfirefly said,
September 26, 2008 at 3:11 pm
The reunion was great fun — it was so much fun to see everyone — and Portland Firefly thanks you for your generous compliments! A hug to Rich!
jkaymartin said,
March 20, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Hi -
It was a pleasure to meet you today, but I’m sorry about the circumstances under which we met.
Please feel free to contact me if you feel like talking.
Take care, and keep up the good fight,
Julie Martin
Michele LaDuke said,
March 25, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Dear Firefly,
Sandy sent me your email and I am sorry to hear of your recent health problems. I will pray for you.
A couple of years ago Mary-Lou Fraizer was having a problem coughing for many months. She had the best doctors, Stanford, Mao Clinic but still these great minds could not detect what she had.
All along many, many people were praying for God’s will to be done. You know that means we want a miracle ASAP!
Mary-Lou entered the San Francisco heart-lung program. One day she went to see the doctor in SF for a monthly briefing. My husband, her husband and me went with her. Long story short she’s cured!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord. The doctors were astonished and have no idea what happened but we do. God’s will was done.
This Easter all four of us will be going on a 14 day cruise through the Panama Canal and other exotic places with names I cannot pronounce or spell.
Mary-Lou and I have been friends since freshman year 1959. Our husbands are great friends. They love to smoke cigars and drink Jack Daniels. You can always find Mary-Lou and me singing show tunes and anything from the 1950′s. She still has a dynomite voice and continues to sing semi-professionally.
So, God has a plan for you and it will be a wonderful adventure. Maybe not pleasant at times (Mary-Lou’s hair fell out) but if He brings you to it He will bring you through it. I’ve witnessed a miracle with Mary-Lou and I have no doubt what God can do, anytime, anywhere with anyone.
When times get rough remember that your darkest hour is 60 mintues long. May God hold you in His arms, comfort you along this path and breathe life into your body everyday.
Love and friendship,
Michele LaDuke Ball
Stella Dubach (Samaniego) said,
April 2, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Hi!
I hope you remember me after all these years. I was not able to go to the reunion but Cathy sent me some pictures. You look 35!!!
It sounds like you have found heaven in Portland as I have in Denver.
You are in my prayers.
Stella
Maureen said,
June 7, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Hi -
I met you in the chemo room about a month or so ago.
Glad you are doing so well!!!
Noreen {Lee} Fitzgerald said,
July 21, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Hi Firefly. I just heard about your illness. I am praying and have put you on my church’s prayer chain. I have been to Portland many times, my brother used to live there. I live in Murrieta and am married to Jerry Fitzgerald. We have 3sons and 1 daughter and 6 grandchildren. Jerry has had some health problems and was in the hospital for the reunion and we could not make it. I am a pre-school teacher and will be going back to work in 3 weeks. I love my job. I will write again.
Love and prayers,
Noreen
g g said,
September 16, 2009 at 6:47 pm
i learn so much from your website….not the least of which is life.
thank you so dear one. glenna
Deb said,
November 2, 2010 at 6:29 pm
I have been reading your blog and just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you, and praying for you. You are a bright light and courageous spirit!
xxoo
Eric said,
December 9, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Portland Firefly,
It is Eric. We met this past summer in CDG airport. We were struggling to get a flight home Stateside…I made it. You mentioned a DR you wanted me to email. I am interested in finding out more. Please send me some information. I hope all is well. Keep Fighting.