memoir – Page 54 – FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER!

A Ghost Story

May 25, 2023May 25, 2023 Posted in California, ghosts, humor, memoir, Monterey Bay, relationships, spirits, energyLeave a comment

(re-run) This isn’t a Halloween story. No words are written in blood on the hallway walls, no moaning spirits or flickering lights, or candles blowing themselves out. Just a feeling of not being alone. Ghosts, if you will, leftover energy from those who came before us. As a child I was called the sensitive one.… Continue reading A Ghost Story

Ketchup and Noodles

May 24, 2023May 24, 2023 Posted in daycare, dogs, gossip, kindergarten, memoir, shopping, toddlerLeave a comment

When my son was two and his big sister was in kindergarten, I saw a window of opportunity to go do child-free errands, if I could just find a place to park him for two or three hours. Enter my neighbor Peggy. She didn’t have a childcare license, which limits the caregiver to six children… Continue reading Ketchup and Noodles

Taking a Trip

May 23, 2023May 23, 2023 Posted in birthday, dogs, flying, graduation, luggage, memoir, travel, trips, TSA, vacation1 Comment

Wash the sheets! Pick up those pieces of construction debris! Hide a key! Do laundry! Eat! Pack some checks. Hide the jewels! Show the neighbor girl where the tomato plants are to water. Pack gifts for grandson and graduate. Pills, food, hats, don’t forget the hats. Ceremony is outside. Mouthguard. Pillow – oops, doesn’t fit.… Continue reading Taking a Trip

Falling, Falling, Falling

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023 Posted in aging, broken bones, California, coffee, dancing, dog walks, dogs, endocrinologist, falling, humor, memoir, ocean, osteoporosis, scars, seniors, thrift storeLeave a comment

(re-run) The first time it happened, one of my shoelaces was untied. I stepped on it with my other shoe, then picked up my foot in the untied shoe and fell over. I was going over a berm along a busy street to get to – you guessed it – a thrift store. That was… Continue reading Falling, Falling, Falling

It’s Not your Year, Prius ‘o’ Mine

May 17, 2023May 17, 2023 Posted in cars, contractor, HOA, landscaper, luck, memoir, physical therapy, PriusLeave a comment

First, it was the log lying in the fast lane, parallel to the lane markers as I drove over it. It became impaled on the undercarriage of my Prius V (the big one) as I headed home from a hike and went twenty more miles. The Triple A guy told me that if I’d hit… Continue reading It’s Not your Year, Prius ‘o’ Mine

Pepper Might’ve Saved my Life Today

May 16, 2023May 16, 2023 Posted in beach, California, dog behaviors, dog walks, garden hose, gardening, guardian angel, memoir, neighbors, old lady card, timing, tree trimmer, treesLeave a comment

(re-run) When I got back from the beach walk where I froze as Pepper smelled every bush and tree along the way, I went inside, put a pot of water on to heat, gave each dog a treat and took Daisy outside to play ball in the front yard. After I’d thrown the first ball,… Continue reading Pepper Might’ve Saved my Life Today

The Dog Whisperer

May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 Posted in animal adoption, animal rescue, animal training, ball throwing, California, dog whisperer, dogs, fridge, HOA, leash, massage, memoir, pandemic, poop, ZoomLeave a comment

(re-run) My son moved in with me. He’s managed to get the super anxious, high-strung Jack Russell terrier to roll over onto her back when she sees him coming. She allows belly rubs to happen. This is huge. I’ve been massaging Daisy Dog ever since pandemic life went online with Zoom. She knows to sit… Continue reading The Dog Whisperer

Feeling Better

May 14, 2023May 14, 2023 Posted in animals, birdfeeder, birds, Depression, dogs, exercise, food, Iowa, medications, melanoma, memoir, mood, nature, sunshine, ZumbaLeave a comment

(re-run) I have some down days once in a while, but mostly I don’t. I know I’m lucky. I have aligned my life to feel better. Coincidentally, a relative’s therapist told her the five things she needs every day to get out of her funk. Then, if you still feel like crap, go see a… Continue reading Feeling Better

The Tree Trimming Post

May 13, 2023May 13, 2023 Posted in Bay Area, California, dogs, heat wave, memoir, Monterey Bay, Monterey county, permits, tree trimmer, treesLeave a comment

(re-run) The beach town where I have an almost -100-year-old house has Draconian tree-removal laws. In other words, you can’t. You can trim your tree up to 25%, but good luck trying to remove it. I found this out the hard way when I applied for a tree removal permit ($181.00) and was denied. A… Continue reading The Tree Trimming Post

Oh No, Not the Warriors!

May 12, 2023May 12, 2023 Posted in aging, basketball, best, California, Golden State Killer, Golden State Warriors, helpful strangers, hospital, humor, memoir, newspaper, police officer, relationshipsLeave a comment

(re-run from 2018) Last week I took Sis to the hospital for a Barium Swallow test. We had just settled into the waiting room when an elderly woman with a cane came in the door. She had to go around Sis’s wheelchair to get to the check-in window. “Am I at the right place?” she… Continue reading Oh No, Not the Warriors!