Category Archives: rural life

Tom Robbins and I

Posted on December 11, 2025 by jpkenna

No, Tom Robbins, who died a year ago come February 9th, was not a friend. Or even a casual acquaintance. Though for a few years it seems like our paths crossed obliquely in the picture-perfect town of La Conner, Washington. … Continue reading →

Posted in farming, history, marriage, rural life, social criticism, Tom Robbins, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., La Conner. Skagit Delta, Swinomish Slough, Rainbow Bridge, bookstores,, Washington State Ferries, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

An Imaginary (but not unlikely) Fathers’ Day Conversation with my Daughter

Posted on June 18, 2021 by jpkenna

SHE: Happy Fathers’ Day! And I see your new book is on a free promotion–for five days. On Kindle. ME: A chance to save $2.99. People should be beating down Amazon’s door! Here I am, hoping people take the bait, … Continue reading →

Posted in love, marriage, nostalgia, rural life, writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

A Valley’s Loss of Innocence

Posted on December 9, 2019 by jpkenna

When my wife and two young daughters and I moved into valley of the South Fork of the Nooksack River in the early 80s, we thought we’d bought into a little slice of heaven. This was rural Western Washington state … Continue reading →

Posted in farming, history, nostalgia, rural life, social criticism | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment