Dec 9, 2021 | Reflections
My childhood was devoid of gerbils, hamsters, birds, or fish. Other than the photo below, I don’t recall owning a cat. And definitely—NO DOGS! As a preteen, I suffered through a sleepover that included a pony-sized Weimaraner. I learned that its house-rattling bark...
Sep 21, 2021 | Reflections
Years ago, my neighbor noticed my withering fuchsia and neglected Christmas cactus. With shame, I admitted my homicidal history with plants. She said, “Grow pineapples. They thrive on neglect!” Lacking confidence, I bought the prickly fruit, cut off their tops, and...
Aug 12, 2021 | Reflections
While checking out a dozen titles, the librarian said, “What a variety!” I take pride in my eclectic reading habits. Library books on top, arranged by due date. Books I own sink to the bottom. Sometimes they take months to finish. But after examining the fresh...
Jul 8, 2021 | Reflections
Maybe it was checking out a landslide in La Tuna Canyon, California that piqued my interest. Or skipping rocks on one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. However it happened, I fell in love with rocks. Through the years, thousands of Florida seashells have...
Jun 3, 2021 | Reflections
When my computer crashed and I was beyond frustrated, my son said, “It’s only a First World problem, Mom.” True. This annoyance was minor in the grand scheme of life. Living in the United States—a land of privilege and opportunity—we have time to focus on...
Apr 28, 2021 | Reflections
I cook and bake a lot. Unless we’re traveling, my husband and I eat every meal at home. When the kids were young, shepherd’s pie, spaghetti, and stir-fried chicken made regular appearances. But I longed to try new recipes. In the early 1980s, I devoured a Julia Child...
