Susan

Philosopher at Ace Hardware

May 10, 2025May 9, 2025 Posted in afterlife, Catholic, gravity, hardware store, memoir, philosophy, Pope, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I was buying wood glue, potting soil and spray paint primer. The clerk asked how it was going and I said fine. I asked him how it was going for him, and he said he was over it, a weird response. Then I flipped over my bag of potting soil which had landed upside down… Continue reading Philosopher at Ace Hardware

One Night, Seventeen Babies

May 8, 2025May 6, 2025 Posted in babies, birthday, California, hospital, humor, husband, immigrants, labor, memoir, Mexico, San Diego, TijuanaLeave a comment

When our daughter came out, covered in dark hair just like her dad, the nurse slapped an i.d. tag on her tiny little foot. For some reason I reached over to read it.

The Spiritual Post

May 7, 2025May 6, 2025 Posted in death, dog walks, horse, Machu Picchu, memoir, memory, nature, philosophy, sibling death, siblings, spiritual energy, travel, universeLeave a comment

(re-run) A friend lost his younger sister to cancer last week. I lost my older sister in December to a myriad of health issues. Grieving is a process. It doesn’t end all at once. It comes and goes. At least I’m not crying anymore. When a hummingbird gets in my face or flies close to… Continue reading The Spiritual Post

Daisy’s New Perch

May 6, 2025May 5, 2025 Posted in animal rescue, animal training, barking, Christmas, dog behaviors, dogs, gardeners, memoir, park, quilt1 Comment

(re-run) My suburban house is cozy but dumb. The small bedrooms are on the front of the house, with the family room tucked behind the garage. There are no good windows for Daisy to see out of, no couch to jump upon to watch the street. Until the day I cleaned my office. I ended… Continue reading Daisy’s New Perch

It Must Be Getting Close to Summer when . . .

May 5, 2025May 4, 2025 Posted in asphalt, California, dancing, dogs, drinking, humor, kitchen remodel, live music, memoir, park, pizza, relationships1 Comment

(re-run from 2019) I am sitting in my fave chair. My adult son just told me over the phone how to unfreeze my laptop (turn it off and then back on). I can hear the squeak, squeak, squeak of the swings in the park next to me. The windows are open just enough to let… Continue reading It Must Be Getting Close to Summer when . . .

Cleaning for Company and a Bleach Bottle

May 3, 2025May 2, 2025 Posted in bleach, Christmas, cleaning, handy woman, hedge, memoir, Oak, small stuff, Thanksgiving, tree hugger, trees, writingLeave a comment

(re-run) Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. I still had to clean the sewing room for my daughter, who is coming for a short visit from the East Coast. I also emptied out my office so that I could get a twin mattress in there when all three of my kids, plus one husband, are here… Continue reading Cleaning for Company and a Bleach Bottle

The Dog Who Thought He Was a Squirrel

May 2, 2025May 1, 2025 Posted in apple tree, apples, candles, college, dog training, dog years, doggie door, dogs, Halloween, memoir, old age, squirrelsLeave a comment

When my middle kid went to college, I kept his Dachshund named Wiener. I asked him if he’d miss his dog at UCLA, and he said, “They have squirrels there, Mom.” As it turned out, Wiener thought he was a squirrel. Maybe not so much in the big marriage house, but when he got to… Continue reading The Dog Who Thought He Was a Squirrel

The Four-Frosty Month of May

May 1, 2025April 28, 2025 Posted in acid reflux, California, cheeseburgers, chorus, Frosty, Gaviscon, neurologist, podiatrist, Wendy's, white matter1 Comment

(re-run) Wendy’s has 50 cent small Frosties for the month of May. Normally that wouldn’t be blog-worthy, but my sis has been out of her board and care home for four outings this month. That’s the most she’s ever broken out of there. We went to the podiatrist. Afterward, we celebrated with a chocolate Frosty.… Continue reading The Four-Frosty Month of May

Mama Bird Rules the Roost

April 30, 2025April 29, 2025 Posted in birds, cleaning, closets, dogs, girl friends, incubation, memoir, nest, porch, purging, UPS, ZoomLeave a comment

(re-run) A mama bird built a nest over my front porch three plus weeks ago. I was away, and when I came back, I startled her. I am now using my side gate to come and go. It’s not easy doing it this way for a couple of reasons. I have to weave my way… Continue reading Mama Bird Rules the Roost

My Perfect High School OCD Job

April 29, 2025April 28, 2025 Posted in memoir, high school, Costco, teacher, babysitting, OCD, grocery store, McDonald's, bar codes, scanners, uniforms, bag boy, Wonder BreadLeave a comment

(re-run( After babysitting for every rug rat in my neighborhood and getting short-changed by a few of their parents (the going rate was 50 cents an hour), I moved into real jobs with time cards and pay stubs. The first one was as a window clerk at Mc Donald’s. I was fast. I could take… Continue reading My Perfect High School OCD Job