My friend Devorah Winegarten died today after a short and intense battle with cancer.  She was one of my Circle Sisters, which is what we call our fellow writers at Story Circle Network. She and I were in a daily Internet group where we shared our victories and challenges related to our works-in-progress. Debs, or…

This delicious little morsel is my grandson, Nicolas Ignacio Pacheco Beaty.  He is 2 1/2 and this is the photo his parents saw today when they went to his preschool “social.”  This is the same boy who sometimes cries when Mommy leaves and she worries that he’s unhappy.  He’s also the same boy that his…

From the New Oxford American Dictionary: liminal |ˈlimənl| adjective technical 1 of or relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process. 2 occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold. ____ I feel as if I’m operating in liminal time right now As if I’m straddling where I’ve…

I have had the rare opportunity to be up at our orange grove by myself for the past two days. Well, that isn’t quite accurate. Liz was here until this morning, but she was busy at work all day yesterday and then had a big project that kept her occupied for most of last night….

I have turned into a crossword puzzle junkie. This is a recent phenomenon and one I am thoroughly enjoying. I believe it has something to do with focusing my mind solely on the task at hand. I suspend all thought about the current political problems we are experiencing, my worries about friends who are going…

Our family gathered over the weekend in Ojai at our orange grove.  We had a wonderful time just being together, hiking down to the waterhole at the nature conservancy and eating some excellent food grilled on the open fire.  Here are a few photos to commemorate our weekend.  The weather was perfect, as was the…

Rachael and I made these bars today.  Instead of orange juice and zest, we used lemon.  It was equally delicious. These are very tasty indeed. Give them a try and let me know what you think. I’ll check back in with you again tomorrow. Oatmeal Date Bars 12 ounces moist pitted dried dates, preferably Medjool,…

Am I the only person out there who turns his/her attention away from a difficult task just before its completion, then lets it languish for weeks or maybe even months before finally returning to do that last hour’s worth of work?  Of course, between the time I put the task down and I pick it…

I have had one of those days: started early and ended late (like 5 minutes ago and it’s 9:25 pm.).  I had a writing group this morning, which was fun and informative followed by students who ranged in age from 11 to 55, and who needed help with homework, essays, and a speech to a…

(I wrote this blog this morning and have just read that the White House has decided to lower the flag again to half-mast in John McCain’s honor.  However, I have decided to post this piece anyway because many of the basic sentiments remain the same, though I am happy Trump has reversed his decision on…