Recently I tackled an unsightly and rather unsavory task in our 1954 Spartan Manor, aka old trailer, up in Ojai. I tracked down all the old ground squirrel nests tucked into the out-of-the-way spots in the cabinets and swept up all of their droppings. Yuck. My work required a mask, gloves, a broom and dust pan,…
Category: Writing
Chocolate Cake: Pure Comfort Food
When I need comfort, I bake. Recently I made the best chocolate cake I have ever made. I took the recipe right off the back of the Hershey’s Cocoa box and modified it (along with the frosting recipe) to suit our non-refined white sugar sensibilities. Below is the original recipe with my changes in parentheses. I…
Quotes from Great Writers
23 Tips from Famous Writers for New and Emerging Authors “I have advice for people who want to write. I don’t care whether they’re 5 or 500. There are three things that are important: First, if you want to write, you need to keep an honest, unpublishable journal that nobody reads, nobody but you. Where…
Fall Weather Recipe: Black Beans
I made a big pot of black beans yesterday and I must say they were delicious. The recipe below is from the Food Network and is well worth trying if you want to switch up those pintos for something with a little more color and a slightly different taste. I ate these with red onion,…
From Rural Texas to Beverly Hills: A Few Observations
I have lived in Beverly Hill (or BH to the locals) for 21 years. I came to LA with my family when my brother Jim was sick and needed support during the last year and a half of his life, and we moved to Beverly Hills because we needed a good school district for our…
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…
Memories of My Childhood in No Particular Order
I remember: Warm pavement under my bare feet Doodle bugs tickling my arms Train whistles in the distance My father’s biscuits and gravy My mother’s typing The smell of chlorine at the pool in summer Chicken and dumplings Incense at church Freshly mown grass My dad’s old farm truck My Uncle Doc’s café My Uncle…
Great Recipe for Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
I made these lettuce wraps last night and they were quick to prepare and delicious. Also, it’s nice that they are quite healthy, which is always a good feeling especially when coupled with such a satisfying flavor. This meal also included roasted acorn squash, which were cut into bite-size chunks and cooked on a baking…
Family Visiting and Flea Sunday at Church
It is 10:30 at night and Sarah, Luna and Nico are asleep in our guest bedroom while Ray, Cordelia and Frankie are asleep in our room. I will soon follow. We have had the treat of a two night visit with Sarah and the kids while Gregorio is off on a business trip. Tomorrow the…
Perfect for Fall: Honey-Sweetened Pumpkin Muffin
My daughter Liz shared this recipe with me a few days back. I have not tried it, but can already tell it’s going to be good. Pumpkin adds such a great flavor and I’m sure this is a perfect “fall” muffin. I am including the recipe below. I feel certain I’ll be baking this up…
20 Minutes a Day 