Growing up, my dad made me milk toast when I was sick. This consisted of two slices of toasted Mrs. Baird’s bread torn up and placed in a big bowl, then covered with warm milk sweetened with sugar. One pat of butter went on top to add a little extra richness. Milk toast was my…
A Poem by Charles Bukowski: Worth Reading for Lots of Reasons
I shared this several years ago, but came across it today and thought it was worth posting again. You’ll see why once you read it. Charles Bukowski died at the age of 73. He was a prolific writer who published 60 books of poems and short stories, in addition to 6 novels. Although he was…
Poem: Several Iterations of Spring
Spring green vibrant, rich, verdantlife-affirmingSpring water babbling, clear, nourishingthirst-quenchingSpring in one’s stepjaunty, bouncy, joyfulenergeticSpring showerscleansing, refreshing, drought-ending earth-quenchingSpring cleaningsweeping, washing, scouringa fresh startSpring forthspontaneous, emerging, inspiring life-enhancingSpring rebirth, renewal, resurrectionrainbow-colored
Winds
The winds of my life have been persistent, like the winds in Texas can sometimes be. Constant, blowing your hair in your face, pushing your car door shut, sending that needed piece of paper in your hand skittering down the street as you chase after it. Not devastating winds, not tornadic whirlwinds or bend-you-double-with-their-force winds,…
Happy Return of my Lost Phone
Last Thursday, Ray and I took the Amtrak train into LA from Ventura to work at the church, clearing out and cleaning the kitchen. The caterer, Scott, who had been renting the kitchen, fell on hard times due to a literal fall, a trip to the hospital, and the contraction of a life-threatening infection while…
A Few Thoughts on Flash Fiction and Nonfiction
I teach a flash fiction and nonfiction class for Story Circle Network. Right now, I am teaching flash nonfiction. Flash is usually a piece that is limited to a maximum of 1000 words. Here are some thoughts on this type of writing. Flash fiction and flash nonfiction differ clearly in content, but given the conciseness…
Life on the Quirky Side
When my husband is bored or ready to leave or fed up with what someone is saying, he whistles. It is the same tune every time – a series of notes that go up and then go down – and he is not particularly aware that he is sending off this signal. When I comment…
Poem: Exceptions are Everywhere
I wrote this poem a while back and thought it might be nice to be reminded today that life is full of exceptions to our preconceived notions. I find that realization hopeful in this day and time. Happy Saturday. Exceptions are EverywhereEver marvel at how life can surprise you?If not, travel to Panama and visit…
Happy Birthday, Luna Pacheco Beaty!
My darling granddaughter is twelve years old today. Happy birthday, sweet Luna. Luna is smart, sweet, and multi-talented. She has a wicked sense of humor, a way of cutting her eyes to tell me, “Grandma, no!”, and a laugh that makes me laugh just hearing it. I could not be prouder of her and am…
Alan W. Watts: The Secret of Life
This is the real secret of life—to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” -Alan W. Watts. I believe this quote from Alan W. Watts is the absolute truth. The operative words are “engaged,” “here and now,” and “play.”…
20 Minutes a Day 