I have two icons of St. Mary holding baby Jesus that are in the cabinet next to where I am sitting here in the living room. The icons are both gifts from our priest, Father Ian Elliott Davies at St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood. In both, Mary is looking right at me, as if she…
Category: Flash essay
Good Storytelling in the Film “Mud”
I saw the movie Mud today and I can highly recommend it. I was impressed with the acting – a welcome surprise when it comes to Matthew McConaughey. I also thought the story was first-rate and illustrated a few elements that are important for all good story telling. These elements include: A rich setting. The…
A Great Film Produced by A Few People I Know
I just returned from seeing Gatsby. I have to say that despite a reluctance on my part to go to see this film because of the lukewarm reviews, I ended up absolutely loving it. I don’t even like Leonardo DiCaprio as a rule, but he was perfectly cast as Jay Gatsby and Tobey Maguire played…
Lost Innocence
My recent jury experience brings one lesson home to me loud and clear: we are not in the 1960’s anymore. Gone are the days of anti-establishment thoughts and feelings, Us against The MAN. No, this is a time of strict adherence to the rules, coupled with a distinct distrust of the motives of the little…
January 16th: Elizabeth’s Birthday!
Today I have been thinking about Liz’s birth back in 1986. How I had gone to the midwife on the morning of the 15th and declared, “I just need to have this baby,” even though my due date was two weeks away. I don’t know if it was the “I can’t stand being pregnant another second”…
My Mother and Her Pain
“Please don’t share our family tragedy,” my mother whispered to me while we stood in church together in Pottsboro, Texas in 1990. I understood what she was saying to me. “Please don’t tell these people. I can’t bear to deal with this right now.” Tragedy was not too strong of a word. We had just…
My Grandmother, Winnie Waugh
My grandmother Waugh was 4’10” tall and weighed about 210 pounds. She had a cane that she welded like a weapon and a temper that made you keenly aware of that cane. Winnie Waugh was her name, Mary Winifred Blackmon Waugh, and her father had fled from Mississippi after a bar room brawl. Her father,…
Hand in Hand – A Writing Process that Works
Here are two of my daughter Rachael’s grades from the infamously difficult UCLA English department. Of course, I am a proud mother and am pleased to “crow” about them to you all, but I have a bigger point. These grades illustrate something I’ve learned over these past 13 years of working with writing students –…
Lincoln: the film
I just returned from seeing this film. All I can say is go see it. This is not a dumbed down version of this critical time in history. The language is formal as is fitting of the time and the political dynamics are much like today – filled with intrigue. Moreover, the gentile and wise…
A Modest Plan
Today I took the dogs for a walk. This is noteworthy only because it is so rare. We have a backyard and leave the back door open, so the dogs go in and out. This is fine for bathroom needs, but doesn’t solve the exercise issue. Cordelia, our corgi, really must have exercise or she…
20 Minutes a Day 