In 1973 I heard about this land for sale in Brownsmead, Oregon. Even though it was a dark, rainy spring day, I was determined to check it out. I was thrilled to find a south sloping, wooded acreage, covered by by a rich diverse forest. Alders, Spruce, Douglas Fir and lots of Western Red Cedar covered the place. It overlooked a pastured valley where a herd of elk often graze. Overhead Bald Eagles soared, flying from their nest over near the Columbia River.

Plunging into the woods to walk the land, I discovered a small seasonal stream in a wooded ravine. It was surrounded by waist high ferns, dripping with a mist that flowed from the sky through the trees and plants and into the stream. There in that dark, quiet place, I saw the most beautiful flower I had ever seen. It grew both singularly and in groups among the ferns along the side of the draw. It was not flashy or showy but instead was a simple white flower that glowed with the promise of spring. With its magical asymmetry of threes, it told me this was the place to build my home and studio.

In honor of this I have named my business Trillium Woodworks.