Category: memoir

A Tale of Two Trees

Posted in apples, asphalt, children, dogs, greenbelt, HOA, Home Owners' Association, memoir, park, playground, shade trees, treesLeave a comment

(re-run) Thirteen years ago, I moved into my cozy house next to a park. When I hear the squeaky swings I know that someone is in the greenbelt. My dogs run to the park to play ball or go for a walk. They always head right once out the front door, never left. They know… Continue reading A Tale of Two Trees

A Good Dog Neighbor

Posted in animal shelter, best, California, dogs, humor, memoir, neighbors, outdoors, park, phone call, relationships, sister, sonLeave a comment

(re-run) Yesterday my son and I had lunch at the local sandwich shop. He brought his little dog, half Chihuahua, half terrier. I fed Violet scraps of lettuce under the table while we ate. She thinks she’s a vegetarian. Afterward, we followed the usual routine and came back to my house, where Violet could run… Continue reading A Good Dog Neighbor

Back in my Fat Pants Again

Posted in beach, Beatles, calcium, country music, Dexa scan, heat wave, humor, ice cream, memoir, osteoporosis, pants, singing, summer, Sun Kings, weight gainLeave a comment

(re-run) It sounds like a country western song. “Well, my true love done left me. He mosied ‘round the bend. It makes me sad that I’m heading back to my fat pants again!” In the winter, when I can hide under many layers, I am thinnest. Maybe it’s all the no-calorie tea and hot water… Continue reading Back in my Fat Pants Again

A Great Dane Story

Posted in animal training, Barbie, birds and bees, dog manners, dogs, friends, Great Danes, humor, Iowa, Ken, memoir, parents, relationships, teensLeave a comment

(re-run) When I was thirteen, I hung out at my neighbor Bonnie’s house, just one block away from mine, but it was different world.  Both her parents worked full time, so we teens could be there with no parental supervision. We were supervised, though, by the family’s Great Danes. I remember three dogs, but there… Continue reading A Great Dane Story

When CPR Class Pays Off

Posted in baby, Camporee, college essays, CPR training, dogs, Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout leader, Girl Scouts, Gold Award, Heimlich maneuver, memoir, sisterLeave a comment

(re-run) In my previous married life long ago, I was a Girl Scout leader for my youngest child and the girls her age at her elementary school.  I was supposed to get CPR training, so I went to the classes and got certified.  Maybe someday I’ll need it while doing a scout activity. As it… Continue reading When CPR Class Pays Off

Nature’s Prayer Moment

Posted in birds, California, church, friends, gardening, humor, memoir, nature, relationships, religion, writersLeave a comment

(re-run) Yesterday morning I stepped up to the kitchen sink to fill the tea pot and looked out my window at the flowers exploding in my yard. I glanced over to the fountain where I saw dozens of identical birds taking drinks in a clumped up circle around the top of my round fountain. Their… Continue reading Nature’s Prayer Moment

Worst Kindergarten Teacher Ever

Posted in accident, books, childhood, chocolate milk, classmates, classroom, dairy, fieldtrip, humor, kindergarten, memoir, Urbandale, wetting my pantsLeave a comment

(re-run) She was thin, blond, and beautiful. When Mama left me in her care, I was enthralled with her, my very first teacher. Her name was Miss Tatz, and she was the lone teacher in the community building at Urbandale Lions Park, an overflow situation for the school district. Even though it was sixty-three years… Continue reading Worst Kindergarten Teacher Ever