Prom with an Older Woman

(re-run) Alan was a sophomore when he got asked to junior prom by an older girl. He rented a tux from his date’s father, Mr. Cohen, at the local men’s shop in Monterey. Alan’s dad had to play chauffeur in his 1962 Chevy Bel Air, since Alan didn’t have his driver’s license yet. When they… Continue reading Prom with an Older Woman

What is Love on the Drive to Monterey?

Driving down to Monterey with my CD player going the whole way, I listened to the oldies but goodies — the Beatles, James Taylor, and Kenny G. Back in the olden days, before the internet, ipods, and all that, we would put on a record and listen to the whole thing — the number one… Continue reading What is Love on the Drive to Monterey?

A Chance of a Ghost

(re-run) This is not a Halloween story. No words 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 Chance of a Ghost

The Power of Vacation

The week after Christmas is a dead time for scheduled activities. Chorus rehearsals are cancelled. The city building where I exercise three times a week is closed.  There’s a lot of extra time during the day. So . . . . . . for the first time in two and a half years, I went… Continue reading The Power of Vacation

Two Days in Contrast

Day 1 in Monterey was sunny and gorgeous, the ocean a deep turquoise. Day 2 the ocean was silver gray with clouds overhead. Day 1 felt warm; Day 2 felt cold, although the temperature might have only changed five degrees, 61 and 56. Day 1 I got here about 1:00, unloaded the car, picked up… Continue reading Two Days in Contrast

Don’t Get a Sun Burn

You think you know someone. You’ve sat across from your brother in law at countless holiday meals. You raised your kids together, although far enough away that you only saw them four or five times a year. You know George loves Monterey, but you didn’t know the whole story. You knew he’d been in the… Continue reading Don’t Get a Sun Burn

Roughing It in Paradise

Every two weeks I head down to Monterey to water my plants and visit my little beach house.  With 60 mph winds last weekend that toppled a decades-old tree next to my yard, I figured I’d have a hundred or so pine cones to clean up in my other front yard under an 100-year-old pine… Continue reading Roughing It in Paradise

Girlfriends vs. Family

It has come to my attention this past week that some of my friends are unhappy with me for not calling them as often as I used to.  As I told a girlfriend just two days ago, I don’t call anybody these days. I am in charge of two people’s lives, and taking care of… Continue reading Girlfriends vs. Family

Tickled Pink with my New View

This is my week for antiquated language.  Here is my tickled-pink story. For you young’uns, tickled pink means you are really, really happy. OMG! Do I have some news today! For thirteen years next month, I have owned a beach house in Monterey county, at first with my husband, now by myself. It sits just… Continue reading Tickled Pink with my New View