To celebrate the holiday, here’s a link to a piece called “Capture the Flag,” by New York Times writer Timothy Egan. It’s an interesting essay looking at how and why the American Flag is or isn’t flown in different parts of the country.

Flags at the Washington Momument

Egan’s 18 years as a Times writer has added much-needed color to the Old Gray Lady – but not quite as often as his fans would like.

When I joined The Oregonian newspaper for my fleeting year as investigative editor, I received the same pile of material all new employees were given. It was a dictionary, an Associated Press style book and a copy of  “The Good Rain: Across Time and Terrain in the Pacific Northwest.”

When I asked then-Managing Editor Peter Bhatia why Egan’s book was included, he said there isn’t a better way to learn what happened in this corner of the country. And he was right.

Egan has done four other books and each time I read one, I immediately question how I have the audacity to call myself a writer. When it comes to his books, he is one of the most gifted wordsmiths I’ve ever encountered.

The funniest writer in my jaded world is Kimberly Marlowe Hartnett and her blog Type Like The Wind.  Here is a link to an intriguing, original piece of graphic art that  Hartnett posted by Judy Culver, a fine Portland, Ore., artist.

Enjoy the holiday and remember the troops.