My children and several of my students have told me that I must watch the new Netflix’s show “Orange is the New Black.” Ray and I began today and watched two episodes. I must admit that the first five minutes of the first episode had me muttering, “Hmmm…I don’t know if I’m going to like this.”…
Category: Stories
Breaking Out of the Rut
Tonight I am feeling proud of myself. I did something that I usually count on Ray to do: hook up the receiver that came today to replace the old one from Direct TV. Normally, Mr. Mechanical goes in and sorts through all the wires from all our various media equipment, which includes not just a…
Full of Grace
There is a little girl at our church whose name is Grace. Her mom brings her periodically to the Breakfast Club, where we prepare a hardy and nutritious breakfast for anybody who comes through the door on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month. We usually feed anywhere between 100 to 200 people, who…
An Unexpected Faux Pas
Many of you know that I wrote recently that my friend Peter is dying. What I didn’t tell you was what happened right after I found out about this news. The gist is this: My husband Ray withheld from me for two day the news of Peter’s terminal illness. I was working long hours with several students…
Across Worlds
Gerald was dusting the pump organ in the front parlor of his restored Victorian when he twisted around to see what all the ruckus was about. Olivia, his Scottish terrier, was in the corner of the room barking madly at an object on the floor. Gerald called out to Olivia to hush, but no amount of…
An Ojai Mystery
I have been AWOL for the past several days. The gist is I was dead-dog tired and needed a break after working non-stop with my student on his 20 page paper, along with my online students, plus a daughter who needed some help on something she was writing, plus, plus, plus… So, we went up…
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…
Where I Work and Spend My Days
I work in the living room of my house on a routine basis, looking out on the street during the day and seeing the street light illuminate a far-off tree at night. This room is where I see my students in person, work with my students online, answer my email, and write. Light comes in from…
Too Tired Tonight So Here’s a Great TED Talk Link Instead
Ray has just arrived home after a week in Texas. That’s good news. I have been up since 6 am. I think now that life is back to normal, I’ll head to bed. This is not going to be 20 minutes of writing today, but I am proud of myself that I’m even posting at…
Heading Out to the Open Road
On Saturday morning, September 21st, my beloved daughter, Elizabeth, and her sweet boyfriend, Ron Wolfgang Betty, will head off on a two-month road trip across the United States. Both are recent law school graduates and are awaiting their bar exam results, which are exactly two months from being announced. They are dubbing this the “Beat…
20 Minutes a Day 