When I was young, the one black boy in my elementary school was my classmate. His name was Teddy. This was white-white-white Iowa in the 60’s. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Van Cura, got angry at the class one day for misbehaving and said, “Whoever doesn’t behave will have to play with Teddy at recess.”… Continue reading The Racist and the Ficus Tree
Category: neighbors
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
Daydreaming on a Dog Walk
I get some of my best writing ideas while walking my dogs. My brain is free to think while my body is exercising. I am not listening to music or staring into my phone. I am enjoying the view. Today I walked Pepper, my almost four-year-old lab, while Daisy stayed home where she feels safe… Continue reading Daydreaming on a Dog Walk
The Future of us Baby Boomers
One day a few years back, my next-door neighbor came over and asked me to take her to Safeway. She was the same age as my mom, which put her in her mid-eighties, so I agreed. I dropped off the neighbor at Safeway and then ran to the post office to mail my package. When… Continue reading The Future of us Baby Boomers
The Turquoise Trailer and the Homeless Couple
My little beach house sits on land bought back in 1929 from the railroad company. The old deed shows the purchase price of $25.00. For some reason, the original owner didn’t want to buy the land up to the railroad tracks. Now, 90 years later, the land between my back fence and the old railroad… Continue reading The Turquoise Trailer and the Homeless Couple
A Good Dog Neighbor
(re-run) Yesterday my son and I had lunch together 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… Continue reading A Good Dog Neighbor
Why Not to Date your Neighbor
Julie got divorced and moved into her new townhouse with her six-year-old son. One day, when she was out walking her dog, a guy mowing his lawn turned off the mower and said hello. They chatted about her dog, and Julie mentioned that she had just moved in. Doug rode his bike a lot while… Continue reading Why Not to Date your Neighbor
What’s your Super Power?
We all have one. Some of us have common sense. Some of us can pack a bag like nobody’s business. Some of us have perfect pitch. I have one friend who says, “Give me a fridge filled with leftovers, and I can whip up a delicious meal.” There’s an eight year old girl in Benbow… Continue reading What’s your Super Power?
Worst Dog Sitting Ever
(r-run) When I was a newlywed, living in San Diego, my next door neighbor, Doreen, befriended me. She noticed I was home alone a lot, since my teaching job ended at 3:00, and my new husband didn’t come home from work until 7:00 or so. Doreen invited me over for food and chit chat. Once,… Continue reading Worst Dog Sitting Ever
If You Date your Neighbor
Julie got divorced and moved into her new townhouse with her six-year-old son. One day, when she was out walking her dog, a guy mowing his lawn turned off the mower and said hello. They chatted about her dog, and Julie mentioned that she had just moved in. Doug rode his bike a lot while… Continue reading If You Date your Neighbor
FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER! 