Luna & the 4th of July Parade

Today we went out to Sierra Madre to see Luna and her preschool in the 4th of July parade.  I thought we were going to see a 10 minute parade of a bunch of kids and maybe a few parents.  Instead, the little city of Sierra Madre (directly east of Pasadena) “put on the dog,”…

A Reading of Flash Fiction Story #2: Jacob’s Search

I am adding a second flash fiction story here, which is the one I put on my blog last week. Since several people said they liked these but prefer to see the text too, I am adding the text below the YouTube video.  (I promise I won’t do this more than once a week!) I…

Corgi Beach Day in Long Beach

Here are photos from a truly silly/heartwarming event: Corgi beach day.  You can’t help but smile looking at this collection of Corgis and other canines gathered together at the dog beach down in Long Beach. Here are the photos:

An Experiment: Reading a Story Aloud

Having just gotten back from seeing Garrison Keillor’s last show with A Prairie Home Companion and in the spirit of oral storytelling, I am launching an experiment tonight. I have included a link to me reading one of my flash fiction stories. This is only a little over three minutes long. I am doing it…

Grandbabies Sleepover!

Luna and baby Nico are staying tonight and all day tomorrow with Grandma and Grandpa. Sarah is working nights this week as a family medicine resident and Gregorio, who has been with the kids every night at home all week, might need just a little rest. So we are happy to accommodate.  This will be…

The Room Where I Write

The room I am sitting in has a red Persian rug, a brown leather couch, a green brocade wing back chair (plus ottoman), a green Morris chair (plus ottoman), a cane back rocking chair, an art deco blondish coffee table and a low oak table upon which rests our television set. The curtains (which are…

Coping with Troubles

The past few days have been filled with an unexpected batch of complications in several areas of my life, ranging from severe health problems for a couple of friends to very bad news about a couple of friends to very bad relations between a couple of friends. Also, there are stressors occurring in two unexpected…

Flash Fiction: My New Stepmother’s Tear

Dad gives me a wink, like we are pals or something. We’re sitting in our kitchen having eggs and waffles on a Sunday morning. I’m not sure why he winked; we haven’t said a nice word to each other for weeks, not since he married that witch that is now supposed to be my new…

Prompt: What I’ve Always Wanted…

Here is an inconclusive list in no particular order.  Still, an interesting exercise. I’ve always wanted to be fluent in Spanish and Italian. I’ve always wanted to go on trips to many countries all over the world. I’ve always wanted a simple and nicely tailored wardrobe with at least two cashmere sweaters. I’ve always wanted…

My Need for a Little Daily Solitude

I have always liked small dark places where I could hide: closets mainly, but when I was little I didn’t mind under the bed or in a cardboard box with the lid slightly shut. I even had a secret hiding place behind a long drawer in my bathroom when I was nine or ten where…