When I was five, my family moved to a big two-story house with a full attic that had stairs leading up to the 3rd floor from a door in the second-floor hall. Before we had moved into the house, the man who had lived there had committed suicide, not in the attic, but in an…
Twirling, Mr. Nugent, and Lessons in Excellence
I wrote this a while back, but I’ve been thinking about Mr. Nugent today and wanted to share it again. After all these years, he still holds a special place in my heart. He moved on to other towns and bigger bands, leaving a lasting impact wherever he went. He passed away a few months…
Lessons A Texas Girl Learned by Living in Beverly Hills
I lived in Beverly Hills (or BH to the locals) for 30 years. I came to LA with my family when my brother Jim was sick and needed support during the last year and a half of his life. We moved to Beverly Hills because we needed a good school district for our kids. Who…
“Fried Onion Burger” (FOB): Worth Your Time to Try
This is a great recipe for a turkey burger. It comes from Cook’s Country Magazine, which is part of America’s Test Kitchen and I can guarantee this is one seriously excellent burger. The Fried Onion Burger (FOB) apparently originated during the Depression in El Reno, Oklahoma, 25 miles from Oklahoma City. Mashing onions into the…
It’s a Vonnegut Kind of Night
“Go into the arts. I’m not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the…
What I’ve Always Wanted: An Inconclusive List in No Particular Order
I’ve always wanted to be fluent in Spanish and Italian. I’ve always wanted to go on trips to many countries worldwide. I’ve always wanted a simple and nicely tailored wardrobe with at least two cashmere sweaters. I’ve always wanted to learn how to drive a motorcycle. I’ve always wanted a happy and fulfilling marriage that…
Poem: To My Sister, Leslie
I wrote this poem several years ago, just before my sister Leslie died. Her death anniversary is in March, so I can’t enter this month without thinking of her. She was eleven years my senior and carried me on her hip when I was little. I miss her often and wish she were still around…
My First Hot Yoga Class Today
My daughter Liz invited me to her weekly hot yoga class today. I haven’t been to a yoga class in a long time, and I have never been to one where the temperature is deliberately raised to encourage sweating. I was surprised at how full the class was at 11:30 this morning, and I was…
Flash Fiction: An Unexpected Destination
Sarah James hailed a taxi after finding herself in an unexpected rainstorm in New York City. Her clothes and hair were sopping wet when she climbed into the back seat of the yellow and black, and after giving the driver the address of her boyfriend’s apartment, she heaved a deep sigh. What a day. Who…
To Type or Not to Type
I am an excellent typist. I mean I can zip around a keyboard like nobody’s business. This is all thanks to learning to type on a typewriter in high school. We had actual typing classes back then and I can type without once looking down at my fingers. Yep, I am pretty good at that….
20 Minutes a Day 