Month: November 2020

Grandma’s Basement

Posted in basement, childhood, confidence, dungeon, grandma, grandpa, kindergarten, memoir, playpen, sarcasm, shame, teacher, wringer washerLeave a comment

My grandfather and his dad built a house into the side of a hill. The main floor had three small bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room and stairs to the kitchen below. The kitchen looked out over the hill down to the creek and had windows and a back door with a screen door. The… Continue reading Grandma’s Basement

Almost Toast

Posted in California, college, dating, divorce, friends, holidays, humor, marijuana, marriage, mom, relationships, roommate, San Francisco, travelLeave a comment

(re-run) Marlene and her friend Beth came out to California from New Hampshire after college to work for Bank of America. They each made a new friend, and each new friend brought another friend to the party (plus one more) until they were a group of seven recent college graduates, living in the city of… Continue reading Almost Toast

I Dreamed about my Hair Salon Last Night

Posted in Coronavirus, dogs, dreams, drinking, hair color, hair dye, hairdresser, happy hour, relationships, Skype, social distancing, virtual happy hour, wine, wine-tastingLeave a comment

(re-run) As you know, there is a virus going around. All non-essential businesses have been shut down in the entire state of California. I texted my hair person yesterday since my appointment was supposed to be this week My stylist? Hair dresser? What do I call her? The woman who does my hair. Are you… Continue reading I Dreamed about my Hair Salon Last Night

Pavlov’s Perfume

Posted in animal adoption, animal rescue, animal shelter, ARF, Belgian Malinois, California, dogs, Houdini, humor, Jack Russell terrier, memoir, Pavlov, pet, pom chi, relationshipsLeave a comment

(re-run) My girlfriend, who shall remain nameless, lest someone recognize her on this page, has a three-time rescue dog like mine. Hers also started out as a voluntary surrender puppy after his owner first lost a home in the Redding fire. Or possibly he was at the Redding shelter and got shipped out to make… Continue reading Pavlov’s Perfume

When CPR Class Pays Off

Posted in baby, Camporee, college essays, CPR training, dogs, Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout leader, Girl Scouts, Gold Award, Heimlich maneuver, memoir, sisterLeave a comment

Long ago, in my previous married life, I was a Girl Scout leader for my youngest child and the girls her age at her elementary school.  I was supposed to get CPR training, so I went to the classes and got certified.  Maybe someday I’ll need it while doing a scout activity. As it turned… Continue reading When CPR Class Pays Off

Romance Coast to Coast

Posted in best, California, car salesman, Connecticut, dating, firsts, Florida, friends, holidays, honeymoon, humor, Italian, marriage, marriage proposal, moving, relationships, religion, travel, vacation, worstLeave a comment

(re-run) Nicky went back to Connecticut to see his mother.“You’ve got to meet this cute Italian girl working in my office,” a friend said.“I’m only here for a week,” Nicky said.“My wife is in night class with a cute Italian girl,” another friend said. “You two should meet.”“I’m only here for a week,” Nicky said,… Continue reading Romance Coast to Coast

Prom Be Gone

Posted in dancing, dating, firsts, fraternity, high school, Prom, puppy love, relationshipsLeave a comment

(re-run)  It was supposed to be junior prom at Stoughton High, but it got cancelled (thirteen years before the movie Footloose). Patsy wasn’t going steady with anyone, so she wasn’t too upset. At the last minute the school arranged a dance in the high school gym, but with no decorations, no court (no prom queen),… Continue reading Prom Be Gone