I awake to the sounds of my family readying for the day: five-year-old Pearl sharing last night’s dream with her mom, twelve-going-on-sixteen-year-old Rain cajoled into rolling out of bed, their mom carrying on a stream of “come on, let’s go,” refrain in order to start their day. I love hearing their exchanges, grateful that I …
I’ve always been drawn to the idea of time travel. Perhaps it’s because I have lived a life of longing. I never knew my mom and dad because they died before I ever had a chance to know them. I was an infant when they left this earth and have always wondered, what were they …
Things I learned as a caregiver Upon my retirement as a museum director, I decided to supplement my income by becoming a caregiver. Both daughters work as caregivers, and suggested I give it a try. In our area (as I suspect in most places) there is a great need, so I said sure. As a …
I had a dream the other night, taking me back to a street in a town that I grew up on. In the dream I encountered several people from my much younger days and they were all anxious to greet me, a reunion of sorts. One of the first to embrace me was a family …
I am set to visit our house in Las Vegas, where my husband John resides while I hold down the fort, so to speak, in our southern Oregon home. It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to get to Vegas, the Pandemic, my work here, grandchildren watching responsibilities, and even more taxing, doing …
Three Weeks and Fifteen Minutes(and a few broken dishes) Read More »
Originally published July 2008 “Peanut, can you come out and play?” I asked my poodle-mix as I knocked on the door of the mailbox. The hinged door burst open and Peanut jumped into my arms, tail wagging and tongue licking. I giggled and hugged my pet, then stuffed him, hind-end-first back into the box, and …
Originally published September 2009 “You will never be happy.” That’s what my father-in-law told me recently. I was sharing how in the near future I hope to find myself and my husband out of Las Vegas and living in a place that: * Is green with real, live vegetation, not from fake lawns * Has …
Originally published January 2010 Back in 1985 I was a newly single mother of two small daughters. I had to find a way to support myself so I went back to the restaurant that I worked at when I first moved to Simi Valley. I am not one to feel regret but I know that …
Originally published July 2009 There are three more kittens outside on our property, a half-acre of land in a shared cul-de-sac. I caught a glimpse of the kittens the other day as the homeowner next door pointed them out to me, “Got 3 more for you,” he said, which means it’s up to me to …
Originally published March 2010 I have started out my Monday mad as Hell. The first day of a very busy week and now I have a crappy attitude that I hope I can change so I’m not a real drag to be around all day. It all started with a frick’n 2:00 AM text message …