I am too tired to write tonight. I don’t want to write anything. I want to go upstairs, take a nice long bath and go straight to bed. Some days are like that. No writing inspiration at all. I have been writing all day today – editing other people’s work. That’s okay. I like editing….
Category: Los Angeles
Scholastic Artists and Writers Contest Winners
Congratulations to my writing students, who have won awards in the Scholastic Artists and Writers contest, the oldest, most prestigious, and most competitive writing contest for youth in the United States with over 230,000 entries in the regional competitions. I am proud to announce that Madison Stringray has won a gold medal for her short…
An Afternoon and Evening in Downtown LA
I am back home after spending half the afternoon and most of the evening in downtown LA. I had lots of fun on my mini-adventure. Ray and I parked our car at the church parking lot in Hollywood, then walked the half a mile down to the subway station at Hollywood and Highland. We passed…
A Lazy Sunday and Rachael’s Lunch Celebration
I am sitting in the living room with Liz. She is studying for the bar exam and I am here on my computer writing my blog. In the den, Ray, Rachael and Keara (Rachael’s roommate) are watching the movie Bernie, which I have already seen twice. (I highly recommend it, by the way.) Sarah and…
A Great Cactus Place and Nursery on the Westside
“The Jungle” on Sawtelle near Missouri in West LA. Lots of goodies and many are on sale. Beautiful colors and condition. See what I mean? I guess not all cactus… What a beauty! Lots of variety. And more inside… An orchids. Beautiful. And more orchids… Just in case you need more incentive… Carlos runs the…
The Best Laid Plans…
It is 11:28 and tomorrow is the homeless breakfast. That means we need to be up and out of the house by 6 am. Why am I still awake? Good question. The gist is that I went with Ray to one of his client’s houses this evening and we ended up staying much later than…
Congratulations to Daughter Rachael
Tonight is the last night that my daughter, Rachael Beaty, has to study for a final exam as an undergraduate. Tomorrow at noon after one last final, Rachael will officially be finished with her Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in American Literature. I am very proud of this youngest daughter of mine who has…
Preparations For My Role as Birth Coach
Today I am thinking of my preparation as a birth coach to my daughter, Sarah, who is officially due April 5th, but may be having her baby sooner. She is already experiencing some early signs of labor and, who knows, this baby may decide to come early and not on time or late. Whenever the…
The Joys of Teaching Writing: Online and Off
I am sitting here in my living room – night outside – and I am ready to finish up my work for today. I have been busy all day, as usual, but not crazy busy. My “Flash Fiction/Memoir” online class started on Monday through Story Circle Network, so I’ve been occupied responding to students’ comments…
Birthday Movie: Django Unchained
Ray and I went with friends today out to lunch and then to the movies for Ray’s birthday. We saw Django Unchained. We are both back home now, exhausted from the movie, but happy we went. It is grueling at times to watch, but well worth the effort. The story of slavery – if told…
20 Minutes a Day 