Yesterday, I went to Buena Vet in Ventura on Main Street, where I brought Cordelia, our 15-year-old corgi, with a clear expectation that the vet would tell me that she needed to be put down. Ray, who is in Texas, and I have been in constant communication about sweet Cordie, whose health has been spiraling…
Happy Birthday to Granddaughter, Lyla!
Today, my little granddaughter, Lyla Pacheco Beaty, turns seven years old. Here are a few things I know about Lyla: She is smart, full of energy, and very sweet. She is known to cheat at Uno or Go Fish, though she is now willing not to cheat quite as much. She is an excellent swimmer,…
Processing the Complications of Baby Milo’s Birth
On the day of my little grandson Milo’s birth, the first child of my daughter Rachael and my son-in-law Andrew, I wrote the email below to some dear writing friends of mine. I am posting it here for a few reasons: 1) to have a record of what happened, 2) to remind myself and anyone…
Welcome, Little Milo!
In case you’ve been wondering where I’ve been for the past few days, here is the answer. Rachael and Andrew welcomed this little fellow into the world on Tuesday, March 17th, at 2:44 am. He arrived weighing in at 8 lbs 7 oz, and a solid 20 inches long. A big healthy boy who is…
The Ides of March and a Brother Remembered
I have posted this story about my brother John before, but tomorrow is his birthday, and this story speaks so vividly to me of my deep love for him. For that reason, I am sharing it again since this time of year, John is very much on my mind. Could That Be My Brother? I…
For a Belated International Women’s Day: In Praise of Women
I have had the good fortune to know a myriad of strong women in my life, starting with my grandmother and mother, who were forces in their own right, to my mother’s partner, Dorothy; my sister, Leslie; my three powerful and opinionated daughters, Sarah, Liz, and Rachael; my oldest grandchild, Luna, who is the walking…
Happy Birthday, Andrew!
Today is my son-in-law Andrew’s birthday, and while he and Rachael may be quietly celebrating, I suspect they both think the best present ever would be the safe and easy birth of their little son Milo, who is due at any time. I doubt Milo will share his daddy’s birthday, however. That would require a…
How a Fifth-Grade Classroom Shaped My View of Math
I can still picture the moment when I first decided I was bad at math. I was sitting in my fifth-grade classroom when “New Math” arrived with great fanfare. Suddenly, the numbers on the page made no sense to me. I remember staring at the problems and feeling completely lost. Not long after that, I…
Poem: Both Predator and Prey
A channel catfish navigates deep waterGulping unsuspecting crawfish, snails, and insectsA fisherman above casts a line with a juicy nightcrawlerIn hopes of landing a catfish for dinnerAn orb weaver spider skitters across its webTrapping oblivious flies, moths, and butterfliesA rusty spider wasp swoops down, stings the spider,Dragging it home to feed her offspringI am both…
Flash Fiction: Somebody’s Girlfriend
I was sixteen when it happened. I didn’t mean to do it, but the police didn’t believe that. Actually, nobody believed me, since I had been bragging earlier that week that if Josh bothered me again, I was going to smack him upside the head. I was talking to a bunch of girls, swaggering around…
20 Minutes a Day 