Month: October 2025

The Dress-up Box

Posted in actor, antique store, costumes, dress-up, Little House on the Prairie, memoir, play, Succession, EmmiesLeave a comment

(re-run) In my shop, I sold pioneer outfits for field-trip-bound 3rd graders along with tea cups, signs, and all things vintage. Think Little House on the Prairie. Most of the parents were happy to drop $75.00 on a well-made cotton outfit of dress, shirt, apron and bonnet. Some, however, were not. “Does she have a… Continue reading The Dress-up Box

Scariest Student Ever

Posted in children, firsts, high school, humor, Iowa, junior high school, memoir, middle school, Midwestern, relationships, teacher, teaching, worst1 Comment

(re-run) During my ten years of teaching public school, I had many a student that caused me grief.  The 8th grader transfer student who called me a bitch in front of the whole class on his first day.  The brilliant 7th grade boy who lit matches in the hallway and dropped them on… Continue reading Scariest Student Ever

A Lasting Love

Posted in California, cars, Catholic, Chevy, dancing, dating, high school, Homecoming, humor, music, parking, relationships, romance, sisterLeave a comment

(re-run) Maurice was a sophomore at Riordan Catholic High School for Boys in San Francisco. He played tenor sax in the marching band. His buddy, Dave, was dating a girl named Sheila from Mercy Catholic High School for girls, and he suggested that Maurice date her older sister, Colleen. The foursome went to the football… Continue reading A Lasting Love

Behind Closed Doors

Posted in abuse, attitude, basement, brother, Catholic, childhood, Facebook, gender roles, high school, Iowa, junior high school, memoir, physical abuse, relationships, worstLeave a comment

(re-run) I read a memoir about a woman’s tough childhood, with violence, danger, and an abusive older brother. I recommended it to Facebook friends online. A friend said she didn’t like it because she didn’t think the book rang true. “The Mormon part or the survivalist part?” I asked her. “Neither.” She didn’t think anyone… Continue reading Behind Closed Doors

Wrapping Up the Weekend

Posted in bartender, dogs, gardening, humor, letter carrier, lunch, memoir, October, party, planner, racetrack worker, rats, relationships, retirement, sewingLeave a comment

(re-run from 2019) It’s Sunday evening, the dogs are snoring, and I reflect on my awesome weekend. Nothing monumental happened.  It was your run of the mill event, with a return trip from Monterey, a potluck party to attend, a visit to Sis, lunch with my son, a couple of dog walks, and an afternoon… Continue reading Wrapping Up the Weekend

The Scars of our Lives

Posted in accident, aging, broken bones, dentist, dog bite, health, make-up, melanoma, memoir, scars, stitches, sunburn, tetanus shot, tooth, Venezuela2 Comments

(re-run) When you get to be my age, you’re bound to have a few scars. I haven’t had any big surgeries, but I have scars from burns, bumps, and scrapes along the way.  Right now it’s my thumb that is most noticeable. I broke it by pulling down a three-piece sectional garage door an sticking… Continue reading The Scars of our Lives

A Different Kind of Fall

Posted in air quality, California, climate change, fires, fountain, Jack Russell terrier, memoir, rain, relationships, restaurant, small town, wind, worst1 Comment

(re-run from 2018) In my 33 years in California (one and a half down south, the rest up north), I can’t remember a fall where we have not had a drop of rain by mid-November. I also can’t remember ever having three big fires in less than two years that have burned down whole communities… Continue reading A Different Kind of Fall