(re-run) When I was sixteen, I saved my babysitting money and went downtown to Cottage Grove Avenue in Des Moines, where there was a head shop filled with incense, hanging beads, roach clips, black light posters and tie dye. Although I wasn’t a pothead (I didn’t smoke cigarettes either), I enjoyed the ambience of the… Continue reading Pennies from Heaven
Category: memoir
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
Dance with Me, Young Jeremy
(re-run) Every dance bar in Omaha ended the night with its signature song. One bar closed with Last Dance by Donna Summer, another used Shout from the Blues Brothers movie (by the Isley Brothers) as its sign-off song. But my fave dance bar closed with the song New York, New York. It seemed an odd… Continue reading Dance with Me, Young Jeremy
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
Teacup Season
I was in line at my favorite beach-town thrift store when the woman behind me said, “Young people don’t want those antique dishes anymore.” “Uh, that’s not true,” I said. “I sell them to young brides all the time.” “My friend has an antique store,” she said, “and young people never come in.” “That’s because… Continue reading Teacup Season
Musical Cleaning Day (waiting for plumber)
(re-run) The plumber said he’d be here by mid-morning, but it wasn’t looking good. I worked on a review for a new children’s book coming out next month. I watched some Dry Bar Comedy while I digested my breakfast. That is no longer a multi-tasking feature of my aging body. Reflux. It’s best to let… Continue reading Musical Cleaning Day (waiting for plumber)
39 Gates and a Water Bottle
I only fly once or twice a year. This time it was for a family memorial service in the Midwest. Tuesday thunderstorms over Denver delayed both the landing of the first leg and the taking off of the second leg of the trip. On my return trip through Denver, we arrived early, but the plane… Continue reading 39 Gates and a Water Bottle
Getting a New Perspective While Getting There
(re-run) I am retired, two years away from the big 7-0, flying for the second time in two months, a record for me. Traveler’s Tip: Don’t fly in the summer if you can help it. EVERYONE is flying, and the weather across the U.S. can be bad and will delay your flight. My daughter drove… Continue reading Getting a New Perspective While Getting There
Memorial Day Weekend – Hello to Summer
(re-run from 2020) My next-door neighbor just told me that he had the Coronavirus in December, that he was down for 10 days, lost weight, lost his sense of smell and taste, and felt like he had a big rubber band around his chest. He had to sleep in a chair because it hurt to… Continue reading Memorial Day Weekend – Hello to Summer
FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER! 