Olena had no idea what to do. She was tired and hungry and wondering where she was going to sleep that night. She wasn’t used to being displaced. She was used to having her morning coffee in her kitchen along with a nice bowl of corn porridge and white cheese. She was accustomed to bathing…
“What’s Going On?” by Marvin Gaye: An Anthem for Ukranians
Here’s Marvin Gaye with “What’s Going On?” to bring a little hope to Ukrainians who are facing a very frightening experience today. May our thoughts be with these people during this difficult time.
Ukraine Invasion
Innocent people Women Children Men Huddle in subway tunnels Unsure of their fate Unsure of their country’s fate Russian soldiers cross into Ukraine Russian tanks move into Ukraine Russian rockets explode in Ukraine Naked aggression Bullying A war motivated by greed and power Russian Anti-war protesters Bold and brave Arrested by police In a country…
Covid: Still Alive and Well As Evidenced by Two Very Different Outcomes
I had a student on Zoom this afternoon. She told me that she is recovering from Covid. She said she had a terrible taste in her mouth on Sunday and a slight headache. By Monday, her sinuses were aching, her throat hurt, and her chest felt heavy. She took an in-home Covid test then and…
Quick Trip Crossing the Border, Thanks to My Global Entry Card
We left Ensenada at 11:30 this morning and arrived at Gregorio and Sarah’s at 5:20 this afternoon. That was with stopping for gas, two bathroom breaks, and heavy afternoon traffic through Orange County on the way to South Pasadena. I stayed just long enough to gather up my bags and then headed on to Beverly…
Last Full Day in Ensenada
Today was our last full day in Ensenada. Tomorrow, we’ll pack up and head back to Los Angeles. It was a chilly day, but we all enjoyed the jacuzzi. The kids were the only ones, however, who braved the unheated pool. The whole day was relaxed and low-key. No rush. I did work at least…
Ensenada
I have spent the last couple of days in Ensenada at the beach with Sarah’s family. Very low-key and relaxing. Wonderful to spend time with Sarah, Gregorio, Luna, Nico, and Lyla. An exceptional treat. Here are some photos:
With Sarah and Her Family in Ensenada, Mexico
I am in Ensenada, Mexico with Sarah and her family. Ray wasn’t able to come due to prior commitments. I wish he were here since we both love coming to Estero Beach with our kids. Here are a few photos of today. I got up really early this morning so I could beat the traffic…
An Absolute Must-Hear: Natalie Merchant on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts
Natalie Merchant’s voice brings me such solace. She is a singer-songwriter par-excellence and my eyes immediately grow moist and I can feel the tension in my shoulders instantly relaxing when I hear her songs. Listen to this Tiny Desk performance. You will feel much happier even while hearing it. Natalie Merchant is charming and there’s…
Flash Fiction: Old Flames
Marion turned the knobs on the radio in search of a program that could entertain her while she cooked. She often listened on Sunday afternoons to radio shows while she chopped onions and vegetables for the various soups and casseroles she made in preparation for the upcoming work week. She prided herself on being organized,…
20 Minutes a Day 