SHARON JOHNSON Retired retail manager, avid gardener, visual artist

I grew up in the PNW. My college years took me to Vancouver, B.C., New Haven, CT., Boulder, CO., and finished back home at Washington State University. I took a lot of side roads along the way. If it didn’t fit in my VW bug, it stayed behind.  Fortunately, my cat liked to travel.

After 40 years in retail, I retired in 2021 to begin filling my days gardening, making art, and being creative. I like sharing and enjoying the beauty in the ordinary, so come hang out with me, stay curious,  stay open, stay in the present, and relish surprises. We’ll get along just fine.

BRUCE JONES Retired video producer, portrait photographer, writer

I’m a former Kansas high school teacher who migrated to the Northwest after earning an MFA in Art Criticism. After 2 years in administration at Washington State University, I started a media-production company specializing in all aspects of corporate communication. For over 20 years I also worked as a portrait photographer, but in 2022 I closed the business and retired to the Oregon coast to photograph whatever grabs my attention.

For amusement, I rebuild houses, play acoustic guitar, and write overly poetical songs. I am highly partial to goofy dogs and cantankerous cats. In general, most answers bore me, but a good question I’ve never heard before is a joy beyond compare.