Little Nico Pacheco Beaty is four-years-old today. He is full of energy, that boy, and has a ready smile and a happy disposition. He loves to move a lot and needs to run and jump and wrestle and physically play. He is already a good soccer player and has been moved up to play with…
Category: Writing
Nico and His Birthday Cookies
Late this afternoon, Ray and I drove to Pasadena for a quick visit with the Pacheco-Beaty family. Tomorrow is grandson Nico’s fourth birthday, and though we are going on a trip together to Mexico at the end of the week to celebrate, Ray and I still wanted to give him a little gift for his…
Feeding the Hungry at The St. Thomas Breakfast Club
Today, Ray and I drove in from Ojai to volunteer at the “Breakfast Club,” which is the homeless breakfast that is offered twice a month in the parish hall of St. Thomas the Apostle, Hollywood. We and other volunteers cook a hot breakfast for people in the Hollywood community who are poor and/or homeless. No…
Sorting in the Storage Bins
I am sitting in the Airstream at the orange grove. Ray is rustling papers at the kitchen table and I am in the living room four feet away with a blanket over my lap. I am tired enough that every sound is slightly irritating and I know I need to go to bed soon even…
Travel Quandary
I am sitting here on this Thursday evening, trying to make the decision whether or not I will drive up to Ojai tonight or head back there in the morning. Ray is there now after he and I went up early yesterday morning. I returned to LA this afternoon because I had students I needed…
To My Nieces About Their Dad, George
Dear Leslie, Katie, Mahlon and Casey, Here are a few things about your dad that you may or may not know: He was a cub scout and boy scout. He played Little League baseball He saved me from a mean dog one late afternoon as we walked to the Little League field (I was 5…
In Memory of Brother George on His Birthday
Today is my brother George’s birthday. He would be 70 today if he had not died long before his time at 54. George was one of my favorite people in this world, with a humble spirit coupled with a sharp mind and wry sense of humor. He knew all about suffering and pain, having battled…
“The Americans”- Keeping Me Awake At Night
I am looking forward to bed tonight since I’ve stayed up too late the last couple of nights binge-watching Season 4 of “The Americans.” Ray and I have been watching this series for a while and usually are satisfied to watch a couple of episodes and go to sleep at a civilized hour. However, suddenly…
Grief: Big and Small
I wrote this piece a few years back and it remains close to my heart. My mother died in the last week of January 2000. That day is as vivid to me now as it was then. I thought I’d share this story with you tonight since Mom is on my mind. On the day…
The Curative Power of Empathy and Chicken Soup
When Ray and I first got married, I was working full-time as a psychotherapist. I prided myself on being a first-rate “trained” listener and often employed my therapy techniques in our conversations. Nothing made Ray angrier than when he’d snap at me over something that was irritating him and my response was, “Sounds like you’re…
20 Minutes a Day 