Poop on the Patio

It’s been raining ever since 2023 started, pretty much nonstop. We aren’t used to this in sunny California. We’ve been in a twenty-year drought for well, twenty years. Usually Seattle gets this weather, not us. I can’t walk the dogs. I can’t work in the yard. But I can feed the critters and watch them… Continue reading Poop on the Patio

Queen Victoria, the Cat

(re-run) Renee already had three cats. She wasn’t looking for another. So when her daughter-in-law called and said, “Mom, you need to adopt this cat,” Renee was thinking, No way, Renee. But then she heard the kitty’s story, and she had to reconsider. Renee’s son Brian and his wife were moving to Tennessee from California… Continue reading Queen Victoria, the Cat

To Dye or Not to Dye

(re-run) Driving to Monterey today, looking at the velvety green hills and the occasional sprinkles of white on the tallest ones, my mind started composing this blog post. I thought about how everyone in California dyes their hair – menopausal women (no surprise there), old guys, young women, teen-aged boys. Everyone, at least it seems… Continue reading To Dye or Not to Dye

Long-playing Ski Buddies

(re-run) Ellen was in charge of the ski cabin for the In Skiers of San Mateo. Mark joined the Powder Hounds even though he was just a beginner. Mark called Ellen to arrange for a room in the InSkiers cabin. Ellen had a cold and sounded like Lauren Bacall when she answered. Mark liked that.… Continue reading Long-playing Ski Buddies

No New Year’s Resolutions for Me

(re-run) Today’s the day I am supposed to resolve to do better, work harder, exercise more, and eat clean.  Guess what? I learned long ago to do things in baby steps. It takes twenty-one days to form a new habit. Sometimes I can do it if I don’t think too hard about it. Like yogurt.… Continue reading No New Year’s Resolutions for Me

No New Year’s Resolutions for Me

(re-run) Today’s the day I am supposed to resolve to do better, work harder, exercise more, and eat clean.  Guess what? I learned long ago to do things in baby steps. It takes twenty-one days to form a new habit. Sometimes I can do it if I don’t think too hard about it. Like yogurt.… Continue reading No New Year’s Resolutions for Me

Estate Sale, Free for One Hour

(re-run) A friend in our 100+ member singles’ ski club sent an email last night.  “I am the lawyer for an estate in Walnut Creek. House must be cleared out. Everything free for one hour tomorrow – 12:30 to 1:30.” I saw the email and responded, “I am looking for tea cups!” The next day… Continue reading Estate Sale, Free for One Hour

Wasabi on a First Date

(re-run) Garth and Gladys went to the same hair dresser.  She was coming in as he was going out. He asked for her phone number. She gave it to her hairdresser to give to him. There aren’t too many eligible men in their seventies, especially one that still had his hair! Garth took Gladys to… Continue reading Wasabi on a First Date

Hospice Heroes

To Sis: “You’re bright-eyed and bushy tailed this morning.” “You’re a fighter, aren’t you?” “People will miss you, but it’s okay to go.” As I watched the Hospice nurse do her job, I was amazed at how good she was at it. To Me: “Have you eaten anything today?” “You can call me at any… Continue reading Hospice Heroes

The Dog That Everyone Wanted

(re-run) Scott heard from his college buddy, Joe, that someone was giving away a four-month-old puppy that had cost them $300, a mix of Jack Russell terrier and something bigger.  The family felt bad that they were gone all day, and the puppy was crated every day for hours. Scott thought about the puppy as… Continue reading The Dog That Everyone Wanted