Below is a photo I took early this morning of the “blue moon” as seen from our orange grove in Ojai. I learned tonight that a blue moon isn’t related to color but rather is when two full moons appear in one month. This is the second full moon in the month of August. Tonight’s…

The crickets chirp with an insistent rhythm Today was hot, they say. Tomorrow will be only slightly better But right now As the waxing moon glows in the Star-filled sky The crickets celebrate Cool night air

I made this recipe today for lunch. I didn’t have Cajun seasoning so I used chili powder instead. I also added the juice of one fresh orange to the chicken broth and used orange zest versus lemon. (I am surrounded right now with orange trees waiting to be picked.) I cut up potatoes rather than…

Today is Liz and Ron’s 4th wedding anniversary. They are off to Mexico with their 8-month-old son Ethan and some close friends. I wish them the happiest vacation and want to say how lucky I feel that Ron Wolfgang Betty is part of our family along with his mom, Cindy. We are so fortunate to…

These were the words of my 10-year-old granddaughter Luna when we discussed the recent, untimely death of her classmate’s father, who died after falling down a steep slope while out on a solo hike. My daughter Sarah had been worried about how Luna might take the tragic news since this man was someone she knew,…

I am currently teaching a 5-week online class at Story Circle Network entitled, “Food and Memoir.” We meet on Zoom and the five women who are participating write an essay or story weekly that we discuss in class. I have had each of the women who are participating in several classes already so it feels…

A close friend of mine who I’ve known since college wrote to me today and, after filling me in on all the positive news of his life with his wife, kids, and grandkids, let me know that he recently received a cancer diagnosis. He was quick to add that his doctor said that if you…