I am looking at the white orchids that my children gave me yesterday for Mother’s Day. I love orchids. I find their simplicity compelling. I remember going into the home of one of my students here in Beverly Hills when I first started working with children (and before I insisted they come to my home)….
Category: Flash essay
A Few of My Favorite Things about My Mother
I was thinking about my mother today and the secret things I loved about her. For example, I loved her smell, which was a combination of Oleg Cassini perfume, vo5 hair conditioner, and CoverGirl face powder. Also, I loved her “look.” She always wore slacks, a top, and a jacket no matter if it were…
Procrastination Over a Health Issue
I have a chronic backache. I think it’s time I make a plan to do something about it. I went to the doctor because I thought it was my hip, but after having me move my leg all round, my doctor said she thinks it’s sciatica. She gave me exercises to do to stretch my…
Jacaranda Trees, Huell Howser and a Few Photos
The Jacaranda trees are blooming all over the city and I wanted to share my own pictures of them that I took on the street directly behind our house here in Beverly Hills. To augment my photos, I have included a video clip from Huell Howser’s Jacaranda episode. For those of you who don’t know…
Cynthia Williams, Rest in Peace
Today is a sad day for all of us at St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church, Hollywood. Our beloved Cynthia Williams died this morning after being diagnosed several months ago with cancer. While there is relief in knowing that she will no longer suffer any pain, we will miss her ready smile, deep-throated laughter and…
Iris: The Documentary
We went to see the documentary “Iris” tonight. It is about Iris Arfel, a 93-year-old fashion maven, who has such joie de vivre that it’s truly inspiring. I would highly recommend this documentary. If you’re not interested in clothes, don’t worry. You’ll love Iris and learn from her example. I believe this film is now…
Ted Talk: Play is More Than Just Fun
Tonight I went to a Dodgers game, courtesy of my beloved son-in-law Gregorio. We had great seats and it was an exciting game. I had lots of fun with Sarah, Luna, Gregorio and Ray. No worries, no work, just pure play. Here is a video that explores the benefits of play. I thought it might…
Mother Bodies
I used to have a flat stomach. I remember having one at least. I also remember having breasts that were a normal size, not the jugs I have now, which seem to be the result, at least in part, of seven years of nursing three little girls. Yes, seven. Two, two and three for the…
My Dad at the Livestock Commission Company AKA Sale Barn
Here is one of my favorite pictures of my dad. He is the man holding the microphone and he has on black “Barry Goldwater” glasses. He is above the ring where livestock came in one at a time and were auctioned off to local ranchers as well as to major meat-packing companies, like Hormel or…
The Flight Back to LA
I am on the airplane headed back to CA from Texas. We are on Spirit Airlines, whose tickets are not too much, but neither is the leg room. Still, I’m not complaining. I have been on a weeklong trip and I have not driven the almost 3000 miles round-trip miles. The pilot has just announced…
20 Minutes a Day 