I went on a walk with my 21-month-old grandson today He is a master of being in the here and nowHe saunters a while, then stops to pick up a rock on the gravel roadLIfting his new prize high for me to see, “Wock,” he says, then throws it down..”Yes, rock,” I say.He heads to…
A Childhood Memory
When I was growing up, the main meal in our household was served at lunch, and the cook was not my mother or my father, though Daddy could make an impressive breakfast. Instead, lunch was the domain of our housekeeper and cook, Lorene, a heavy-set black woman who wore a white uniform to work Monday…
A Family Favorite: Turkey Quinoa Chili
Yesterday, my nephew Jim, my sister Leslie’s son, texted me from Salt Lake City. “Could you send me your turkey chili recipe?” I wrote back: “Funny you should ask. I made turkey chili today.” That should tell you something about how good this chili is. The quinoa adds a light texture, the turkey is milder…
A Poem, Especially for Writers
It is almost midnight, and I’m tired. This afternoon, I hosted a writing webinar for Story Circle Network and then worked with students until 9:30 p.m. Below, I have posted a poem that is a wonderful antidote to taking oneself too seriously, especially as a writer. I hope you enjoy it. “Do You Have Any…
A Shared Memory Of Norway for My Old Friend, Nick
In the spring of 1975 when I was 22, my boyfriend Nick and I decided we would go to Europe after I graduated from college in June. (He was already finished with school and up for an adventure). The goal was to go for a year and the original plan (or at least the one…
Prompt: What Lesson Have You Learned about Love?
The best lesson I’ve learned about love is that the greatest gift I can give another person is to stop whatever I’m doing, really listen to what the other person is saying, and then make the added effort to see the world through that person’s eyes. That is easier said than done, especially if the…
On this Veteran’s Day Weekend, Let’s Also Thank Firefighters
Wildfire season has been in full swing in Ventura County this past week. Over 134 homes have been destroyed in nearby Camarillo since Wednesday morning by what is now being called the Mountain Fire. This blaze, fanned by 61 mph Santa Ana winds, went from 1/2 square mile to 16 square miles in just a…
Dawn at the Orange Grove
It’s the lightHow it illuminates a portion of each orange treeWhile the remainder resides in shadowThe trees stand swathed in light and darkSpring green accents on forest green leavesNew light spills onto the field beyondImbuing the graying oak mulch with a soft peach glowBrightness holds promise of the new dayShadow reminds that repose is nature’s…
Lest Anyone Needs Chicken Soup: Here’s an Excellent Instant Pot Recipe
Hi all, This is a tried-and-true recipe from kristineskitchenblog.com that I’ve used many times. Today, I’m using frozen chicken thighs, which means increasing the cooking time to 12 minutes versus 7. In fact, I threw in the entire package of chicken thighs to have extra for tomorrow for a different meal. I returned from Sicily…
First Official Day of Sicily Tour
We had a very full day today, starting with a tour of Old Town Catania, a trip to the Riviera del Ciclopi, “The House by the Medlar Tree in Acitrezza,” and then on to Caesar Palace Hotel in Giardini Naxos. The sites were entertaining, the hotel is beautiful, and I am so tired, I can…
20 Minutes a Day 