(re-run) Today is the anniversary of the longest day of my life. Fourteen years ago, the movers showed up at 7:00 a.m. I had expected them at 8:00. They had a medium-sized truck. There was no way everything would fit. I had the Suburban and the Subaru, but they were already packed to the gills.… Continue reading The Longest Day of my Life
Month: June 2025
How to Teach your Puppy or Rescue to Play Ball
(re-run) Put on a pair of pants with pockets. Fill your pockets with yummy treats torn into tiny pieces. You can use cooked chicken, pieces of cheese, or beef strips from Costco. Take your ball launcher or strong throwing arm and two balls. Take your puppy to the yard, park or green belt. Walk him… Continue reading How to Teach your Puppy or Rescue to Play Ball
Show Me the Numbers!
(re-run) At a recent wedding rehearsal dinner, I sat across from a well-off, pension-receiving white guy who started a conversation about immigration. Sorry for him that he did not know he was sitting across from a Spanish teacher/book author who has studied and followed Hispanic cultures for most of my life. And I’m old. To… Continue reading Show Me the Numbers!
Teacup Season
I was in line at my favorite beach-town thrift store when the woman behind me said, “Young people don’t want those antique dishes anymore.” “Uh, that’s not true,” I said. “I sell them to young brides all the time.” “My friend has an antique store,” she said, “and young people never come in.” “That’s because… Continue reading Teacup Season
The Thrill Gene
(re-run) I have never liked roller coasters. I puke on the teacups ride. I don’t like to dive, and I brake hard on steep hills on my bicycle. I have figured out that I don’t have the thrill gene. Of my three children, one of them has it. She likes to scuba dive and ride… Continue reading The Thrill Gene
Sully, A Famous Face
(re-run) Living in Northern California, I don’t run into celebrities too often. Once I met J. K. Rowling, the Harry Potter author, when she was touring the U.S. to promote her third book. Otherwise, I’d heard that Carlos Santana came to visit his restaurant, Maria Maria, every now and then, and that some famous ball… Continue reading Sully, A Famous Face
Moon Over Lafayette
Trudy worked at an engineering firm. Joe was the visiting copy machine repair man, or as her office mates called him, the Xerox guy. One day Trudy had to make copies. Joe was at the machine, repairing away. “Oh,” she said. “No copies for me!” “Hey there,” Joe said. “We should catch dinner sometime.” “Okay.”… Continue reading Moon Over Lafayette
Musical Cleaning Day (waiting for plumber)
(re-run) The plumber said he’d be here by mid-morning, but it wasn’t looking good. I worked on a review for a new children’s book coming out next month. I watched some Dry Bar Comedy while I digested my breakfast. That is no longer a multi-tasking feature of my aging body. Reflux. It’s best to let… Continue reading Musical Cleaning Day (waiting for plumber)
39 Gates and a Water Bottle
I only fly once or twice a year. This time it was for a family memorial service in the Midwest. Tuesday thunderstorms over Denver delayed both the landing of the first leg and the taking off of the second leg of the trip. On my return trip through Denver, we arrived early, but the plane… Continue reading 39 Gates and a Water Bottle
FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER! 