(re-run) Beth’s husband had two Akita dogs. She wanted to get one for their six-year-old son. She got Lee a puppy and named him Kuma, which is Japanese for Bear. The two older dogs kept attacking the puppy. The marriage wasn’t going well, either. Beth and her son moved out and got their own place… Continue reading Kuma, the Teddy-bear Akita
Category: California
A Summer Night in California
The band would cover Chicago songs and Steely Dan songs. The town was three towns west, closer to the ocean, richer — well-to-do people with shorter commutes to San Francisco. My dance partner was coming from Emeryville. I was coming from my bedroom community inland. We would meet up and dance. But first, ice cream.… Continue reading A Summer Night in California
A Thrifter Before It Was a Thing
()re-run) Today, as I entered the Good Will in Monterey, California, I was glad to see it mostly empty because of the rain and wind. But there were several teen girls and even a young guy shopping for clothing. That’s right, spring break. When I as a teen shopping in thrift stores, I got lots… Continue reading A Thrifter Before It Was a Thing
Chemistry is Everything
(re-run) Sharon was a Sigma Kappa at 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, even though… Continue reading Chemistry is Everything
Daisy’s Night Run, a Skunk, and an Anniversary
(re-run) With hot, hot weather in the Bay Area, it seemed like a good time to run down to the beach, plus the handy woman was available to come at the same time with her daughter. We had trees to plant, foxtails to pull, and a flat roof filled with pine needles to clean. The… Continue reading Daisy’s Night Run, a Skunk, and an Anniversary
Michael Jackson’s Impact
(re-run) I was a teenager when Michael Jackson became a household name. He was a stand-out in his brothers’ band, the Jackson Five. He was ten years old when he sang ABC, simple as 1 – 2- 3, Girl, I love you! I watched MJ grow up. I bought his first solo album, Off the… Continue reading Michael Jackson’s Impact
Four Nights of Dancing in Five
(re-run) “Where does it hurt?” the massage therapist asked when I showed up for my twice-a-month chiropractic massage. “Everywhere,” I said. “I’ve danced four nights out of the last five.” “That sounds like a teenager!” he said. As I lay there and he pushed on every part of me — hips, arms, shoulders, legs, feet, I… Continue reading Four Nights of Dancing in Five
Father’s Day Hike
(re-run) Several years ago on Father’s Day, my three kids went to their dad’s for a barbeque, and I went on a late-day hike with my (now ex) boyfriend. He’s one of those guys who doesn’t believe in rules and always thinks his way is the best way. We took a hike on the west… Continue reading Father’s Day Hike
FOMO, YOLO, and YOYO
(re-run) You know summer has begun when you are constantly checking your email and calendar to make sure you’re not missing out on some live music that evening. Every town has its own series of music in the park. If you are willing to drive, you can hear it six evenings a week for free,… Continue reading FOMO, YOLO, and YOYO
The Longest Day of my Life
(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
FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER! 