I have been working on lowering my blood sugar levels. This was prompted by blood tests over the past several years labeling me as prediabetic. That label scared the ever-loving bejesus out of me since I have read that in the short term, 3 -5 years, 25% of people with that condition will become diabetic…
Earthquake Scare
When you live in California, the potential for the “Big One” is always looming. Yesterday, there was a 6.4 magnitude earthquake out in Ridgecrest which was felt all over Southern CA. We were at the parade in Ojai at the time and the fellow next to me said he felt it quite clearly. I, in…
Celebrating the 4th of July
Happy 4th of July, everybody. We were up in Ojai with daughter Liz and soon-to-be son-in-law Ron for the annual parade and then we went over to a neighbor’s party for a short while. Anyway, we are now back home in LA and I can hear the boom of fireworks not too far away. I…
5-Star Honey-Sweetened Carrot Cake With Honey-Sweetened Cream Cheese Frosting
At the request of my soon-to-be son-in-law, Ron Betty, I am posting an excellent recipe for honey-sweetened carrot cake with honey-sweetened cream cheese frosting. I altered this recipe from one I found online and had great results. I made this cake yesterday and it was moist and delicious. I had a second slice today and…
Growing into Myself
I am trying this again. Handwriting versus writing directly on the computer page. This is inspired by Margaret Atwood’s Masterclass and my own experience. I know I write deeper when I handwrite versus type, but “efficiency” has gotten in the way of my process. As if it is efficient to write something that isn’t quite…
Sonnet #2
This is my second attempt at a sonnet. In contrast to the complexities of Shakespeare’s work or a fine sonnetist like Edna St. Vincent Millay, this looks pretty paltry. However, I am just proud to get it on the page. I am only now learning about iambic pentameter, poetic feet, quatrains and couplets (well, I…
A Window into My Day Today
I am sitting in my den. It is 7:02 on this Sunday evening. Rachael’s dachshund-mix puppy, Hazel, is curled up on the chair next to the window. The grandfather clock in our living room is tolling the last of seven chimes, clearly off by two minutes. I’ve made a vegetable and rice soup in the…
Learning from the Masters
Today, I spent most of the afternoon listening to Margaret Atwood’s master class on fiction writing. This is through http://www.masterclass.com and is part of the unlimited series that I paid $180/year for when I signed up for the Billy Collins workshop on poetry. Unlike poetry, I have spent quite a lot of time working on…
Some Assembly Required
To all who took the time to either give me a thumbs up or write a comment about my thoughts on restarting my blog, please accept my heartfelt thank you. I truly appreciate your support and was touched by your positive messages. Day 2 of 20 Minutes a Day: I have worked for the past…
A Swift Kick in the Butt from Daughter Liz
Okay, I am going to try this again. To get back into the groove of writing and posting to my blog. This came after daughter Liz gave me a “Come to Jesus” talk yesterday, calling me a “weenie” for not recognizing that what I write has value even if it is not always political. …
