My skin is a conduit of memory. One soft touch takes me back to my sweet high school boyfriend, the first male to every caress me; one harsh squeeze reminds me of one of my college boyfriends, the only person who ever physically hurt me; one stroke on my back connects me to my mother…
Category: Memories
A Friend Who Is Dying
My friend Peter is dying. He is 56. He hasn’t felt great for the last few months, but thought he might have some low-grade bug that was dragging him down. As it turned out, he had cancer that started in his colon and has since infiltrated his liver and his lungs. The doctor has given…
Flash Memoir: Skin
In 6th grade, my teacher, Mrs. Miller, pulled me aside in the hall just before lunch. She peered down at me and said, “What are your parents doing about your skin?” I felt my cheeks grow warm and I knew I was blushing. “I just started going to a dermatologist.” My teacher was referring to…
Flash Essay Prompt: Hauntings
My four dead siblings haunt me. Not in a bad way, please understand. It is as if they are always nearby, as if they are sprawled on the couch and chairs near me now, reading, laughing, talking to one another. They also sometimes talk to me, but usually not. I can see them in my…
At the Viper Room Tonight in LA
Tonight Ray and I went to the Viper Room on Sunset Boulevard with Liz and Ron to hear several Australian bands that are currently on a “Passport Approved” tour headed up by two of our friends, Monte Malone and Ryan Benyo, who are music producers with A & R Worldwide, Musexpo. We know Monte and…
Our 34th Wedding Anniversary Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Ray and I will celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary. Below are pictures of 2 of our three weddings. The first is our tiny wedding in Mountain View, Arkansas in the park there with a judge. We had planned on 7 people and 7 more crashed for a total of 14. We were basically eloping,…
Proud to Be A Coal Miner’s Granddaughter
I am sitting in a cabin on the banks of a river in Montana. I don’t know the name of the river (it is a tributary to the Clark), but I am near the tiny town of Paradise and if this place is any indicator of the little town, then I would say it is…
The Joy of Family and Making New Friends
Today, Sarah and Luna visited and we went to the 3rd Street Farmer’s Market with my brother-in-law, Ray Agutter, who is visiting from Salt Lake City. Ray was my sister Leslie’s husband and is the father of my beloved niece, Kevin, and my nephew, Jim. Ray is also a gregarious character and loves to chat…
A Few Things I Know…
What do I know? Living in the present is the healthy way to live. Life works out…I think. Time heals…eventually…I hope. Babies are a blessing and to be cherished. One day at a time. One minute at a time if need be. Stay focused on what works. Keep negative thoughts at bay. Hug tight. Love…
The Beach + An Old Friend = Happiness
Today I spent the afternoon and evening with my buddy, Judy HG. We had a serious “girls’ day out,” which, I might add, was exactly what I’ve needed after lots of work over the past while. We headed for the beach at Point Dune. Here are pictures of our glorious day at the beach: I…
20 Minutes a Day 