Yesterday, Liz, Rachael, and I, in collaboration with Footprints in the Soil (FITS), an environmental non-profit, set up a children’s craft activity at the Ojai Farmers Market. We wanted to do an art project that involved native plants, so we picked different materials that came from our orange grove: lavender, sage, rosemary, mustard, onion blossoms,…

This is a piece I wrote a while back. However, it reflects a true belief that is important to me, namely that in order to gain the real benefit of whatever you’re doing, you have to truly commit to it. Not commit to everything, of course, but to one thing that pulls you in with…

We are in Salt Lake City for the celebration of my great-nephew Eli’s graduation from college. Eli is my sister Leslie’s grandson. Here are some photos of our family gathering. Unfortunately, Rachael and Andrew couldn’t join us since they were returning from Houston, where Andrew participated (and finished) the Iron Man race. Sophie (Eli’s sister),…

When Pandora first received the jar (not a box) that her husband asked her to watch, She had no intention of opening itIn fact, she hardly listened when he asked her becauseThe kids were screaming, and dinner needed to be madeSo, there was no premeditated plan on her partTo do what she didShe was too…

At Mass this week, your name was read from our parish’s Chantry Book,commemorating the anniversary of your death, May 3, 2004.Every year when I hear “George Biggers Leatherwood” called out, I sigh and think, “I miss you, Brother.”I miss your chuckle, your smile, your sense of humorYour ability to cut right through any b.s. and…

Why do I love the pine forest? Filtered sunshine, moss-covered ground.Birdsong tweets and warbles, a woodpecker’s rapping.With peace as my food and drink, what else would I need to aid me?

I wasn’t happy with your decisionBut I will admit I respected you for itI see you standing against that gray wallA blue Dodger’s cap on your headYour sunglasses in your handThat look of resolve on your faceI’m going, and it’s for the best, you said.I looked up the track when I heard the train whistleReached…

I’m surrounded, the old woman sighed, by unexpected experiences, far and wide Not only is my dear cat sickbut my kitchen drain is oh so thickClogged like mud in a bog with sounds reminiscent of a large bull frog To make matters worse, I must declareMy husband’s curses, he doesn’t spareNo more damned expenses, he…

You are sincereA person who is trustworthyYou have perspectiveA person who can see a bigger picture You are decentA person who values kindness and generosityYou are honestA person who speaks the truth as you see itYou have a good sense of humor A person who doesn’t take life, yourself, or me too seriously You are…