(re-run) Long ago, when I had three school-aged children off at their respective schools, I sat at my desk writing during the quiet of the day, when I heard the Dachshund barking. He was somewhere in our spacious half-acre back yard. I ignored it at first, but when the barking didn’t subside, I decided I’d… Continue reading Wiener Dog Versus Rat
Category: memoir
Easy Rider
(re-run) – Today we shopped at a different Trader Joe’s and the clerk told me, when I said she looked familiar, that she had a Midwestern face, and I said I did, too, and she asked where I was from and I said Iowa, and she said, Me, too, and she’s from Adel, and I’m… Continue reading Easy Rider
Lost, Then Found
My cousin died at a young age. She was an artist and had given everyone in the family a piece of art she did, a preying mantis. An insect, and a creepy one at that. She gave it to me in 1979. Somehow, somewhere, I ditched the bug. Then she died, and I regretted giving… Continue reading Lost, Then Found
The Spiritual Post
(re-run) A friend lost his younger sister to cancer last week. I lost my older sister in December to a myriad of health issues. Grieving is a process. It doesn’t end all at once. It comes and goes. At least I’m not crying anymore. When a hummingbird gets in my face or flies close to… Continue reading The Spiritual Post
Daisy’s New Perch
(re-run) My suburban house is cozy but dumb. The small bedrooms are on the front of the house, with the family room tucked behind the garage. There are no good windows for Daisy to see out of, no couch to jump upon to watch the street. Until the day I cleaned my office. I ended… Continue reading Daisy’s New Perch
Cleaning for Company and a Bleach Bottle
(re-run) Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching. I still had to clean the sewing room for my daughter, who is coming for a short visit from the East Coast. I also emptied out my office so that I could get a twin mattress in there when all three of my kids, plus one husband, are here… Continue reading Cleaning for Company and a Bleach Bottle
Mama Bird Rules the Roost
(re-run) A mama bird built a nest over my front porch three plus weeks ago. I was away, and when I came back, I startled her. I am now using my side gate to come and go. It’s not easy doing it this way for a couple of reasons. I have to weave my way… Continue reading Mama Bird Rules the Roost
Pandemic Friday
(re-run) My friends are going out. They are eating at restaurants with no masks on, and they are sitting shoulder to shoulder at the table – not all from one household! I am chicken to do that. I watch too much news and read too many newspapers. Yes, everything we do in life is a… Continue reading Pandemic Friday
Mac and Cheese, a Spicy Story
(re-run) After nearly a week of no heat in my house, I finally feel warm enough to write a story, a spicy one, at that. This morning I made my usual run (with wet hair) to the grocery store for the Sunday Chronicle. But alas, there were none. I popped into the CVS next door… Continue reading Mac and Cheese, a Spicy Story
Best Tomato-planting Advice Ever
(re-run) Since I planted my ‘maters today . . . One morning at a local garage sale, I stumbled upon the Alamo Garden Club people, selling plants in one of the members’ driveways. I picked up five tomato plants since the price was right. “Do you know how to plant them?” the man seated next… Continue reading Best Tomato-planting Advice Ever
FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER! 