Holiday Heartache

(re-run from 2019) As I sit here on a Sunday afternoon, I have fluffy white “Iowa” clouds (cumulus) out the windows across the back of my house. I used to look into a wall, but that baby is gone, and now I have nature. This month has been so full already, three chorus concerts with… Continue reading Holiday Heartache

No Christmas Tree for Me

(re-run from 2018) Eight Christmases in this house and only two trees. Both were living, and both got planted in my yard. Guess what? My yard is full. That’s what happens when you get rid of your grass, fire your gardener, and watch volunteer trees grow on their own, self-planting trees with a little help… Continue reading No Christmas Tree for Me

Loved the House, Not the Marriage

I donated a big bag of curtains this week. I’d been saving the curtains from each of the last three houses I’ve lived in, here in California, all in the same town as my current house. Who has lived in four houses in one town? Me. The first house was the starter home for a… Continue reading Loved the House, Not the Marriage

Your Place or Mine?

(re-run) When we were in our twenties and thirties, we were looking for a husband and father of our future children. Our biological clocks ticked louder the closer we got to 35, the cut-off point for a low-risk pregnancy. Yes, older women give birth after that, but fertility drops off in the thirties, and it… Continue reading Your Place or Mine?

Your Place or Mine?

(re-run) When we were in our twenties and thirties, we were looking for a husband and father of our future children. Our biological clocks ticked louder the closer we got to thirty-five, the cut-off point for a low-risk pregnancy. Yes, older women give birth after that, but fertility drops off in the thirties, and it… Continue reading Your Place or Mine?

Whatever is Meant to Be

(re-run) I’ve been on the hunt for bookcases. I have ten tubs of antique books sitting in a damp garage near the beach, and it would be good to get them into the house. I sold all my beautiful bookcases when I was getting divorced. I knew the new smaller house wouldn’t be able to… Continue reading Whatever is Meant to Be

One Guy’s Thoughts on the Big Break-up

(re-run) A guy friend of mine whom I don’t know very well except that he puts on free estate sales (lawyer) and he speaks his mind . . . “Nice pioneer outfit you’ve got on, Susan!” Okay, the dress was a bit ruffly, and ruffles aren’t in style like they were ten years ago .… Continue reading One Guy’s Thoughts on the Big Break-up

Lock It Down

When we were in our twenties and thirties, we were looking for a husband and father of our future children. Our biological clocks ticked louder the closer we got to 35, the cut-off point for a low-risk pregnancy. Yes, older women give birth after that, but fertility drops off in the thirties, and it is… Continue reading Lock It Down

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