This has been a heavy college essay day. I had three students for two hours each and three students (triplets) for an hour and a half meeting with their parents at Mel’s Diner. (They are from Florida and have been visiting colleges in CA). Lots of good discussion and writing going on, I must say….
Category: Writing
A Gift in the Mail Today
Today when my husband was checking the mail he said, “Looks like you actually got a piece of personal mail. How often does that happen these days?” I took the small envelope from him and recognized the sender’s name, Nancilynn, one of my Story Circle Network Circle-6 writing sisters. How nice, I thought, for Nancilynn…
A Bit of a Ramble
I am just wrapping up a day that included four hours of students plus a visit to see a friend with a new baby and a morning filled with eBay work. Yikes. Tired. Oh, I forgot. My online class started today too. I am not complaining. Every part of today was easy and rewarding and…
Repost: One Small Detail
When I was in high school, Diana Felmet was my Home Economics sewing teacher. Mine and every other girl in the school since Home Ec was a required course and boys were not allowed to take it. (Oh, how the times have changed for the better!) Anyway, I learned to pick out patterns and material…
Great One Woman Show in Hollywood: “Journey This”
I went to a one woman show tonight with my friend Judy Harger Gideon called “Journey This.” It was a series of memoir pieces stitched together to create a powerful picture of one woman’s life: the actress/writer/producer of this show, Cheray O’Neal. O’Neal, who is a NAACP Image Award nominated performer, does an outstanding job…
Babies Visiting Grandma and Grandpa
This will be short tonight. We have two little buddies who need our attention. Here are a few pictures: Hope your day went well. Will check in tomorrow.
Repost: Lessons from John Steinbeck
I have just begun reading John Steinbeck’s Journal of a Novel: The East of Eden Letters, a compilation of Steinbeck’s letters to his editor and friend, to whom he addressed a journal entry every day before writing his manuscript pages for his novel. East of Eden is one of the first books I read years…
50 Pieces of Literature I Love
Here is a list of books, plays and stories that I have found compelling (not exhaustive and in no particular order): Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. Macbeth by William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare The Odyssey by Homer Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck The Great…
Repost: My Oldest Brother?
I was walking the other day in downtown Los Angeles when I saw him – a man in his mid-forties, slight of build, with a square jaw and dark eyes. My heart jumped in my chest, John! I wanted to shout out, but did not. My brother, you see, died back in 1991 and this…
Prompt: Write About a Place That Defines You Most Clearly
“When I understand myself, I understand you, and out of that understanding comes love.” Jiddu Krishnamurti The place in my life that defines me most clearly is our orange grove up in Ojai, California, which is 1 ½ hours north of Los Angeles, 12 miles east of the Pacific Ocean. Our orange grove is filled…
20 Minutes a Day 