My middle name is Jane. I don’t love it. There was a commercial in the 70’s for hair dye, I think. I remember the line,” Don’t be a plain Jane.” After that I disliked both my middle name and my hair color. There was another commercial in that decade that said, “Boys don’t make passes… Continue reading Plain Jane
Category: park
A Tale of Two Trees
Eight 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 where… Continue reading A Tale of Two Trees
Do You Want a Cookie, Little Girl?
(re-run) She ran a personal ad in the Contra Costa Times: Single white female looking for single Asian man. Her two previous boyfriends had been Asian. James called and left a message with his phone number on a Friday night. The next morning Pam checked her phone messages. She liked his voice as she listened… Continue reading Do You Want a Cookie, Little Girl?
It Must Be Getting Close to Summer when . . .
I am sitting in my fave chair. My adult son just told me over the phone how to unfreeze my laptop (turn it off and then back on). I can hear the squeak, squeak, squeak of the swings in the park next to me. The windows are open just enough to let in fresh air… Continue reading It Must Be Getting Close to Summer when . . .
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
How to Teach your Puppy or Rescue to Play Ball
Put on a pair of pants with pockets. Fill your pockets with yummy treats torn into tiny pieces. You can use cooked chicken, pieces of cheese, or beef strips from Costco. Take your ball launcher or strong throwing arm and two balls. Take your puppy to the yard, park or green belt. Walk him around… Continue reading How to Teach your Puppy or Rescue to Play Ball
Crocodile Rock
(re-run) Friday evening there was an Elton John tribute band in the plaza. Since Yellow Brick Road is one of my all-time favorite albums, I thought, why not? My youngest, visiting from Boston, had plans to see her friends in Berkeley. It had finally cooled off a bit, and the smoke from the wildfires wasn’t… Continue reading Crocodile Rock
