Today was a day that demanded comfort food.  When in doubt, I always feel best heading straight into the kitchen and creating some sense of order in my life by making food that makes the house smell good and is also extra tasty.  That is exactly what I did today with the help of…

In light of our changing world as of tomorrow, I offer this repost from a few years back: “This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” -Alan W. Watts I believe…

Nico and Luna are here spending the night with us tonight.  Luna and I made an agave-sweetened apple raisin pie this evening while Nico played with toys from his toy drawer in the kitchen. The pie was delicious. Then we settled back and watched Zootopia – my second time  – and I must say that…

Today I carved out a little office for myself.  I have had one in the past, but over the last several months, I’ve spent 100% of my work time sitting in a big wingback chair in my den.  That’s so I could see students, who could settle on the couch across from me during our…

  Thirty-one years ago today, I gave birth to my beloved second child, Elizabeth, in the master bedroom of our home in Denison, Texas.  I had the help of two midwives; Ray; my best friend, Patricia Butler; and my 3 1/2 year-old daughter, Sarah, over that long night. Sarah had the calmest demeanor in the…

My first cousin Lee Leatherwood has his birthday today. He is five days older than I am and we lived no further than five blocks apart from the day we were born until we graduated from high school and then only a quarter of mile away from each other during our freshman year at UT….

Tomorrow we will be celebrating Liz’s 31st birthday, which is officially Monday, before Ray and I head back to LA late tomorrow afternoon.  (Liz and Ron will stay through Monday when our Utah family will all go skiing and snowboarding with them.)  I will be making Liz’s favorite dessert for the festivities.  This is a…

Here’s to a happy 1st birthday for my little grandson, Nico. He went on a hike with his mom, dad and sister and spent most of it snuggled up on daddy’s shoulder, sleeping. This little guy is so full of sweetness and love, it’s hard to even describe the joy he brings to the lives…

January 13, 2016 Ray and I had a good cry after they wheeled Sarah into the operating room for an emergency c-section after 12 hours of labor. Her blood pressure had sunk to 30/60 and baby Nico’s heart rate had dropped to 80 from 155. Suddenly, the medical team went from one nurse to a…

Eating, chatting, walking, driving, watching television. Mexican food for lunch. Indian food for dinner. More chatting. Relaxing and having fun. I’ll check back in tomorrow. Definitely a good idea to unplug for a few days.