I have an unusual memory for experiences. I used to think that others simply didn’t value the past like I did; how else to explain why I remembered “important” things and they did not”? It was not until very recently that I came to realize that I simply have a phenomenal memory in this regard.

At my HS reunion people

I wrote to my friend Barbie about my upbringing and she suggested that this type of history might interest others. So here goes:

My last name? It is Finnish. I grew up in Astoria Oregon, the oldest settlement west of The Rocky Mountains! It has so much history that other places that claim history or try to build that up make me chuckle. My father spoke fluent Finnish..and it was settled by Finns mainly..but also Swedes etc. Growing up I was surrounded by Finns but because it was so normal to me, I didn’t really notice it.