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: Los Angeles
Long Day of Work and Anticipation
The dogs are barking outside. It is 9:43 pm and I have no idea who or what they are responding to. I am tired. I started today at 6 am, was cooking by 6:30. Pumpkin in the oven followed by yams. It’s tough when you just have one oven. Rachael came yesterday and we cut…
College Essay Deadlines Loom
It’s college essay time again and I am flooded with students who are applying to schools with a November 30th deadline. We are scrambling to beat the clock for the University of California schools, mainly, but also early admission requirements to other colleges around the country, such as University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Tulane,…
Evening with Our Expanding Family
We are driving back from Arcadia where we had supper with Sarah, Gregorio, Liz and Ron. Rachael was not with us; she was on a plane returning from a trip to Texas with her roommate, Keara. As we drive back home through Pasadena and Glendale, I can see a beautiful crescent moon on the western…
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…
New Adventures or How to Age Gracefully
I have an ache in my right hip. I’ve had it a while. It feels as if my hip is inflamed. It doesn’t matter if I exercise it or not. If I sit in a certain position or walk in certain shoes, then I feel it. The question is whether this is just age or…
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 –…
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…
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…
Falling Asleep while Sitting Up
I am struggling to come up with something to write tonight. I have my 20 minutes to fill and nothing of any note is springing to mind. Hmmm. What to write about? My eyes are crossing. I am so sleepy. It is 7:36 pm. The sun went down around 4:45 and, like a little bird,…
20 Minutes a Day 