I am sitting in my living room Writing with pen and paper Seeing how this slower process Taps into my brain I have nothing of note to say Just listening to the tick-tock of the Grandfather clock And the whirl of traffic outside I am happy to be sitting here Warm, fed, and healthy I…

Today was an unexpected day off All plans went to the wayside One daughter woke up sick Another came to visit Instead of forging ahead I paused Then stopped Happy for a rest Pleased with the visit Grateful my sick daughter now feels better Today took me back to ten-years-old Celebrating a snow day Shifting…

Tired Ready for a night off Flu shot today Making my arm sore Dark outside Only 6:40 pm Chill in the air Heralding fall Halfway through another week Life slipping by Heading us, I hope, Back to normal

This evening, I had one of those moments when you realize just how small the world truly is. I was speaking to Alex, the mother of one of my college essay students, and I said to her, “Your son says you’re from Kent, Connecticut. I happen to have a friend who grew up there.” “What’s…

I don’t know how it happened. I was sitting there talking with her one minute and the next, she was gone. I don’t mean dead, by the way. I mean gone, vanished, evaporated, vaporized. I don’t even know how to describe it. No gradual fade-out. No, “See you soon.” No, “I’ll let you know where…

Sarah called this morning and said the kids felt better and so did she. So we rallied and headed over this afternoon. We had great food, lots of fun, and a wonderful time trick or treating with the kids. I am so happy we were able to be together! Here are a few photos.

There is some serious debate as to whether or not the planned family Halloween party will be taking place over at Sarah and Gregorio’s house tomorrow afternoon and evening. Turns out that all three kids are sick with fever and sore throats, and now Sarah wrote that she is starting to notice how her throat…

Today is the anniversary of my brother Jim’s death. He died back in 1995 from AIDS and though that is now a very long time ago, it feels as if it was just a few years back. I wrote this reconstructed obituary on the request of one of Jim’s classmates who wanted to share it…

Today is my little brother’s birthday. He’s five years younger than me and no matter how old we get, he’ll always be “little brother” to me. Sam is one of those people who fills a room with his smile. He is open and generous and always there if you need him. He is also an…

In 6th grade, my teacher, Mrs. Miller, pulled me aside in the hall just before lunch. She peered down at me and said, “What are your parents doing about your skin?” I felt my cheeks grow warm and I knew I was blushing. “I just started going to a dermatologist.” My teacher was referring to…