I have been editing students’ essays and stories today— switching out a word,a phrase,sometimes an entire sentence. Cutting repetitionwhile still honoringthe rhythm of the words. Searching for themes,motifs,tropesthat cast light across the page. Delighting when I stumble uponan apt metaphor,a succinctly stated feeling,a burst of action verbsthat make me want to run,dance,and play. And always…
Month: September 2025
Lighten Our Darkness
When I was a little girl, my mother came into my room every night before bedtime so we could say our prayers. She would sit on the edge of my twin bed while I lay under the covers with my head on the pillow. “Our Father, who art in heaven,” she would begin, and I…
Vroman’s Book Reading & Signing Today
Today, I read and signed books at the beautiful Vroman’s Independent Bookstore in Pasadena. When I looked out into the audience, I saw all three of my daughters, their husbands/partners, and children, plus a whole slew of close friends who had made the trek from Burbank, Glendale, San Dimas, San Marino, Covina, and even one…
From History to Fiction: The Priest Who Inspired Father Briggs in Hope in a Time of Dying
Father Briggs, the priest in Hope in a Time of Dying, draws inspiration from the life and ministry of the Rev. Carroll Barbour, longtime rector of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Hollywood. In the 1980s and 1990s, when fear and stigma around HIV and AIDS ran high, Father Barbour opened the doors of St….
Happy Valley: A Crime Drama Worth Every Minute
Happy Valley has earned the distinction of being one of Britain’s best and most critically acclaimed crime dramas. The three-season series—first aired in 2014, followed by 2016, and concluding in 2023—was recently released in the U.S. and Canada in late August 2025. The story centers on Catherine Cawood, a Yorkshire police sergeant played by Sarah…
Flash Fiction: Eyes Wide Open
Stolen innocence. That is what Marsha thought as she stared out the window at her garden below. That’s where it had happened—just two years ago while she was weeding her vegetables, when John stomped over. “You’re a fool!” he’d snorted, waving a paper in his hand. “I told you not to trust her.” Marsha sat…
Best Gingersnap Recipe Ever with an Optional Healthy Twist
Today I modified America’s Test Kitchen’s recipe for gingersnap cookies to fit into my non-refined sugar criteria. That mean basically just substituting white sugar with maple sugar. The results were excellent. The cookies have a real snap and they are filled with freshly ground ginger for a nice little kick. I’m going out on a…
Sharing My Story at Vroman’s in Pasadena, Southern California’s Oldest Independent Bookstore
Join me on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. for a book reading and signing of Hope in a Time of Dying at Vroman’s Bookstore, Southern California’s oldest and largest independent bookstore. Located at 695 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, this historic store offers a beautiful, dedicated event space. We’ll have time for a short…
A Small Refuge of Beauty
When feeling overwhelmed by all the ugliness and vitriol being hurled around our country right now, may I suggest you take a few minutes and listen to these three short but evocative pieces by Erik Satie. You will feel better, I promise, just knowing there is such pure loveliness in this world
Flash Essay: The Comfort of a Stranger
Several years ago, I learned a lesson I’ve never forgotten: sometimes unexpected kindness arrives from the most unlikely places. It happened when I first learned that my dear friend Peter was gravely ill. My husband, Ray, waited two days before telling me about Peter’s diagnosis. I was buried in work with several students on their…
20 Minutes a Day 