Granddaughter Luna (age 11) joined her 5th grade class yesterday in rehearsals for a Revolutionary War reenactment. She was playing Patrick Henry. Apparently, her team came in 1st Place in the official event following this rehearsal. When I first saw this video, I didn’t even recognize Luna. I was impressed with this clearly”older” student’s charming…
Our Rose Garden Today
A Visit to the Rose Garden A glorious day A multitude of roses The air full of fragrance Toddler Ethan tries to eat a rose His method of smelling I take him from rose to rose A taste treat
Successful Ojai Nature Writing and Crafting Workshop!
Today, I held a nature writing workshop in Ojai in collaboration with Footprints in the Soil (FITS), an environmental nonprofit. My daughter Rachael led a crafting workshop on the back patio of Move Sanctuary, where the event was held. My other daughter, Liz, helped with the event’s planning, participated in the writing workshop, and snapped…
The Gift of New Glasses
Today, I picked up my new glasses, the first after my cataract surgery. For the first time in 3 or 4 years, I could see clearly out of my left eye, which was miraculous. I was struck with two things: 1) the ability of the brain to compensate so well that I had no idea…
The Lessons We Learn from Our Children
Here is a photo of our 17-month-old grandson Ethan at Disneyland yesterday with his new friend, Jack. Liz said that since Jack is a year older, it took a little while for the two boys to warm up. Clearly, by the time this photo was taken, they were buddies. Just looking at this picture makes…
Preparing for My Nature Writing Workshop
This Sunday afternoon, I am presenting a nature writing workshop in Ojai in conjunction with the environmental nonprofit, Footprints in the Soil. I have five friends/former students who have said they’ll make the drive up from LA for the afternoon, which I greatly appreciate. This is my first foray into the writing world here in…
Happy Birthday, Sweet Sarah
Today is the birthday of my oldest child, Sarah, who was born in 1982. Even as a newborn, Sarah displayed the characteristics that define who she is at her core. She was alert, attentive, and peaceful. Sarah came out of the womb, looked around the room, and proclaimed, “Ah-Ow.” Rather than cry, she elected instead…
Flash Fiction: Scorned Fool or White Knight?
“Bicycles!” Mary Ann called out as soon as we were near the beach. “Let’s rent bicycles and ride along the strand.” I was skeptical. Not being particularly athletic was only one of the reasons. I was also not that well-versed in bike riding and immediately was sure I’d run into either one of the walkers…
My Mothers’ Day Celebration
Color me happy. I spent a glorious afternoon with Ray; our daughters, Sarah, Liz, and Rachael; their partners, Gregorio, Ron, and Andrew; my grandchildren, Luna, Nico, Lyla, and Ethan; and Andrew’s mother, Martha. We ate, laughed, opened presents, ate more, talked, laughed more, and generally enjoyed each other’s company. Also, one of my former students,…
The Other Side of Mothers’ Day
Mothers’ Day isn’t always easy Many suffer from Loss DistanceDisconnectionGood mothering means Unconditional loveEmpathyForgivenessA kind and generous heartWe all mother in our lives We mother other people,Our pets, Our plants and gardensOur communitiesIf we are able,We mother ourselves
20 Minutes a Day 