This is a repost, but I was reading about John Steinbeck just this morning and for that reason, this seems especially fitting to share tonight.  I appreciate so much Steinbeck’s willingness to share his uncertainty about his writing.  His openness and generosity help me not to feel quite so alone. I have just begun reading…

This morning Ray and I got up at 5:30 and went to cook breakfast for the needy at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, Hollywood. When we arrived at 6, the lights were all off in the parish hall and there were two homeless men waiting outside for our arrival. As we walked up, one…

I had a lovely visit with Fong Nham and his girlfriend, Kelly Luc, who drove all the way from Rosemead, CA to see me today. I worked with Fong two years ago on his applications to medical school and with Kelly this past year on her application to Physician Assistant school.  They were kind enough to…

I learned today that a friend of mine has been diagnosed with ALS.  She and her husband are writers and have been chronicling this experience for several months, though today was the day they announced it out in the world.  Their journal entries, which they have shared with friends, are so full of love, pain,…

I wrote this piece several years ago, but on the eve of Father’s Day I can’t help but want to share it again. My dad was a very good man, which, I believe, is reflected in this piece. He was born and bred in Texas and had a way of expressing himself that reflected his…

I am feeling pretty jet-lagged this evening and thought I would repost a piece I wrote a couple of years back about a friend of mine who died in the early 1990s. I came across this piece when looking for something to post and must admit that it expresses my thoughts and feelings about this…

Ray and I have just returned to LA and at this moment, I really should go to sleep.  It is 9:24 pm here and 5:24 am on Friday in London, meaning I’ve been up 23 hours since I got up in London at 6:30 am on Thursday morning.  Before I head upstairs, however, I wanted…

Yesterday, Ray and I spent the afternoon at The Tate Modern Art Museum.  We both have been there before, but somehow it felt new and different this time round. (Maybe I was less tired and harried.)  The building itself is beautiful with exposed support beams, lots of concrete and glass, and a view of London…

My student Lara King wrote me tonight and sent me these two photos. One is of a  certificate issued by the State of Michigan, honoring her for her national Silver Medal in the Personal Essay category of the Scholastic Artists and Writers competition.  The second is of Lara with her State Representative, Sue Allor. Lara…

My happy news is that on Sunday evening, Ray, Rachael and I are heading off to Barcelona to meet up with Liz, Sarah, Gregorio, Luna and Nico. (We are flying different airlines since we booked our trips a few days apart.)  Our kids and grandkids have a wedding to attend in Switzerland; Ray and I…