I am sitting with my student, Madison, and we are both having trouble writing today. It is, after all, the day before Thanksgiving and there are so many more interesting pursuits that we both could be doing. Still, we only have one hour together today before the celebration begins so I’m using this time to…
Category: Home
My Love Affair with the LA Phil
I am in love with the LA Phil. Today we went to Disney Hall in downtown LA for an open house. Here is Disney Hall: We got a back stage tour of the hall – something I’ve really wanted to do since I’ve been curious what behind the scenes looked like for the LA Phil…
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,…
Our Grandbaby’s Official Name
My little granddaughter, who is still in utero, has received her official name from her parents. Luna Isabella. Her paternal grandfather has already decided he will call her by the pet name, Bella, which means beautiful in Spanish, his first language. That’s lovely. Luna means moon and she is likely to have big round eyes…
The Power of Our Democracy
This is my husband Ray and two of our three daughters, Liz and Rachael, at 8 am on our way to the polls. Before leaving home, we pulled out our Voter Guides and went over all the propositions and measures so we could make informed decisions. Our voting location is in a garage of a…
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…
Family Visit and Straining to Hear
My brother, Sam; his girlfriend, Jaime; and Sam’s grown kids Hutch and Charlsie are visiting us at the moment. This is my little brother – five years younger than I am – and he and I are the two remaining siblings out of a family of six children. We are funny together. We are more…
My Personal Organizer Winner: Wunderlist
I have spent much of today looking at organizational tools online. I checked out several lists that different friends sent me after reading my blog last night. For me, the tool couldn’t be too complicated. I wanted a pretty simple application, but I wanted color and visuals that keep me happy while getting organized. I…
By-Gone Halloween Treats: Homemade and Delicious
Halloween in Bonham, Texas, circa 1960. I remember well the trick or treating. Or rather, I remember the treats, particularly the homemade ones that were delicious. No fear of razor blades or glass embedded in the goodies. No indeed. The truth is the homemade treats were the ones I liked best. Take caramel apples, for…
A Cooking Lesson with Daughter Rachael
Today my youngest daughter Rachael, age 21, asked me if I would teach her how to make her favorite meal: stuffed shells. She wanted to ask three of her girlfriends over for dinner here at home and serve them stuffed shells, salad, French bread, and homemade strawberry frozen yogurt. “I need to learn how to…
20 Minutes a Day 