Ray and I have gone to Paris many times…stayed on Rue du Bac near the Musee D’Orsay and enjoyed the ambience of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. I am saddened tonight to hear of the attacks innocent Parisians have endured from what appear to be terrorist factions. Violence directed at ordinary citizens who are…
Category: Writing
The Haunting Beauty of Gorecki’s Symphony No. 3
This morning, Ray put on Gorecki’s Symphony No. 3 for us to listen to as we worked in the living room. Within minutes, Ray was sniffing and I had tears running down my cheeks. This music, which is also known as the Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, is so beautiful that it literally will make you…
Veteran Dr. Jim Leatherwood
A repost of a piece I wrote for my brother Jim on a previous Veteran’s Day. My brother, Jim, rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the U.S Navy, serving as a medical officer to the Marines. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton after graduating from medical school. He loved the…
An Update on Frankie – Our New Rescue
My day with our new doggie was eventful. I have gone on three walks. This is up from none. Yes, I know this is a good thing. Frankie practically prances when she walks she is so happy. It makes me happy just to see her spirits so high. Besides, it’s the only sure way to…
Talking to Luna about Death
We introduced our new dog, Frankie, to our granddaughter Luna today. This was not as easy as it might sound since Luna knew our dog Sammie (recently deceased) had been sick and since her mother, Sarah, is pregnant and often sick, then this has created some confusion about what exactly “sick” means. We have been…
A New Dog in the Family
Love at first sight. Ray was right. Another dog can be a good idea. Here is Frankie, aka Gwen. She is 1 1/2 years old. A Schnauzer/Scottie mix. She was one day away from being put down when BFF K-9 rescued her. She had a chicken bone stuck in her soft palette and couldn’t eat….
Orange Grove Hours
It is 6:23 pm and Ray and I have already eaten and showered. We are cozy in the Airstream since it is now pitch dark in the orange grove. Ray is curled up with Cordelia and looks as if he may actually already be asleep back in the bedroom. I am sitting at the table…
Back in Ojai
Ray and I just arrived in Ojai. We have Cordelia with us, of course. It is 10:30 pm. We decided to come on up tonight because we are working here beginning early tomorrow morning. We figured it would be easier to wake up here rather than get up in the dark in the morning to…
Another Dog…When Is Right?
Ray has already called a rescue center “inquiring” about another dog. He’s worried about Cordelia; afraid that she is feeling a bit at loose ends without Sammie. I understand his point. Cordie is such a herder, and she herded Sammie all the time, she may feel a little lost not having a canine friend to…
20 Minutes a Day 