Author: Susan

I do this blog for PG audiences and another one for R audiences with Bae Bliss.

The Head-scarf Post

Posted in Arabic, begging, book review, books, fainting, hijab, infuiaion, infusion, Iran, Jordan, Karma, memoir, Morality Police, Muslim, osteoporosis, thrift storeLeave a comment

(re-run) Forty-some days ago, a young Iranian woman was detained by the Morality Police because she wasn’t wearing her head covering, hijab, correctly. She died while being detained. Iranian women have poured into the streets, showing their hair to protest. The reason I’m writing about hijabs is because I’ve noticed them a lot lately.  This… Continue reading The Head-scarf Post

Reflections on a Retired Thursday

Posted in childhood, chorus, Costco, COVID, dogs, errands, horse, horseback riding, memoir, memory, OCD, retirement, traffic, Zoom, ZumbaLeave a comment

(re-run) You would think retired people have seven days a week to reflect on their past lives. Not so, Smokey Joe.  There was chorus, plus a COVID booster shot on Tuesday which produced a huge headache. “Take Tylenol,” my adult child who lives down the hall said. “No, you’re supposed to let the vaccine do… Continue reading Reflections on a Retired Thursday

Barbies or a Boyfriend?

Posted in Barbie, boyfriend, daughter, Facebook, feminist, kindergarten, memoir, mom, Pokemon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, UkraineLeave a comment

(re-run) Facebook has done it again. When I think I have no ideas for a blog post, some Facebook exchange with a stranger will remind me of something in my past to write about. The post was a Ukranian girl sitting in a window, holding a weapon. The caption said, “While American tweens are playing… Continue reading Barbies or a Boyfriend?

She Flashed Him — He Asked Her Out

Posted in California, camera, cheater, dating, divorce, drinking, DUI, flashing, misdemeanor, Monster Truck show, Oakland, park, relationships, wife, work, work-alternative programLeave a comment

(re-run) Troy had the best job for meeting women. He was a parks worker for the city of Clayton, which contracted with the county for a workforce from the Work Alternative Program. In other words, drunk drivers and those with misdemeanors could work off their time instead of paying fines. He was the supervisor. Katie,… Continue reading She Flashed Him — He Asked Her Out

Taking Stock of the Garden

Posted in drought, drought-tolerant plants, Facebook, flowers, garden, Girl Scout camp, humor, memoir, native plants, porch, rats, rose, trees, wisteria, yardLeave a comment

Four years ago today, my garden was in full bloom. I know this because Facebook showed me my garden photos from 2019. The plants are way behind this year from all the rain and wind storms. The roses aren’t blooming yet. The wisteria has just started to bloom. The potted plants either drowned in open… Continue reading Taking Stock of the Garden

The World Is Insane

Posted in Bible Belt, Biden/Harris, bumper stickers, chorus, COVID, Florida, gays, Ketanji Jackson, mask, Medicare, memoir, neighborhood, Oakland, pandemic, Prius, Supreme Court, Ted Cruz, Texas, thrift store, UkraineLeave a comment

(re-run) The world is spinning out of control. It’s the third March (in years) of the worldwide pandemic (redundant, I know). I sing with 94 other people in a community chorus. Only twelve of us are wearing masks these days since the mask order has been lifted. Yet, three of my family members (different household)… Continue reading The World Is Insane

Five Errands and a Passport Photo

Posted in drugstore, errands, India, memoir, passport, raisins, shopping, thrift store, vacationLeave a comment

My daughter is going to her college friend’s wedding in India. She discovered that her passport was about to expire, which got me to wondering if mine had expired. I hadn’t used it since I got divorced.  I found it and saw the expiration date was 2019. That’s what the pandemic will do to a… Continue reading Five Errands and a Passport Photo

Tartan Plaids and an Angry Boy

Posted in anger management, chorus, GAP, grandma, memoir, Monterey county, plaid, power company, tartan plaid, teacher, thrift stores, weather, winterLeave a comment

Monday afternoon the power went out in Monterey. There were high winds. I ran to the Goodwill after working in the wind, picking up pine cones, twigs, tree moss, and branches, and will have to do it again the next time I go down there to check on my little house. While I was there,… Continue reading Tartan Plaids and an Angry Boy

Chemistry is Everything

Posted in Berkeley, best, California, college, dating, firsts, fraternity, marriage proposal, relationshipsLeave a comment

(re-run) Sharon was a Sigma Kappa at U of Cal, Berkeley, in her junior year. As she stood outside her sorority house, chatting with the house mom, a guy that she knew from Kappa Sigma crossed the street. “Hey Sharon, do you want to go to a pinning party with me tonight?” “Okay,” Sharon said,… Continue reading Chemistry is Everything