We woke up early this morning – 6:30 or 7 – only to discover that our dog had chewed up my husband’s glasses. We found the lenses in many pieces, the earpieces twisted and chewed and we never located the nosepiece. Ray loves this dog more than most humans he knows, so after the shock…
Category: Writing as a Discipline
Little Visitor Tonight
Can’t write much since I have a little friend with me tonight. We are snuggling. Good night.
Congratulations to Western Regional Scholastic Award Winners
I am proud to announce that two of my students have received Western regional awards from the Scholastic Artists and Writers contest in personal essay, critical essay and Senior Portfolio. The contest sponsored by the Alliance of Young Artists and Writers is the oldest and most prestigious writing contest for youth in grades 7 –…
Interview with Susan Albert, Author of Loving Eleanor
I have had the pleasure of recently reading Susan Albert’s new book, Loving Eleanor, which is a historical novel about the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and journalist, Lorena Hickok. This is a wonderful book that explores the many levels of friendship as well as the difficulty national figures face when trying to maintain a sense…
Happy Afternoon
This was a Sarah afternoon with Nico and Luna. I got a chance to hold the new baby boy for several hours, to bathe Luna and to chat with Sarah. Sarah had the rare opportunity to go take a 30 minute shower. My phone is not nearby so I can’t share the pictures I took, but…
Online Essay Class: Why You Should Take It
Hello to my women friends, I am offering an online essay class that begins tomorrow through Story Circle Network, an organization that celebrates women’s writing. The price is right: $160 if you are a Story Circle Network member; $200 if you are not. This is for 5 weeks of lessons, with a chance to learn about…
Near Perfect Evening in Downtown LA
We had the one of the loveliest evening tonight that I can remember. We sneaked into The Broad Contemporary Art Museum, thanks to Ray Beaty’s quick thinking to ask the guard if we could JUST go to the gift shop. (The museum is free; it’s just there was a line at the front door.) Anyway,…
Nurse Jackie: Learning As I Watch
Ray has returned from Texas and this evening we will be celebrating by binge watching more of Showtime’s Nurse Jackie starring Edie Falco. For those of you who are also late to the game in terms of watching this Emmy award-winning series (2009 – 2015), I can say that it takes a hard look at…
Flash Memoir Repost: Nils, Norway and the Chicken House
In the spring of 1975 when I was 22, my boyfriend Nick and I decided we would go to Europe after I graduated from college in June. (He was already finished with school and up for an adventure). The goal was to go for a year and the original plan (or at least the one…
Excellent Orange, Cranberry and Pecan Muffin Recipe
I love collecting recipes and this one came from a recipe box I bought at an estate sale several years ago. The box has two long file drawers in a small oak cabinet and each drawer is crammed full of the owner’s favorite recipes clipped from newspapers or magazines, along with hand-written recipes from friends….
20 Minutes a Day 