Today is my birthday. I am 59-years-old. That’s one year from 60 for those of you with less than stellar math skills. Dear Lord in heaven, how did that happen? The 60 part, not your math skills. It’s crazy this aging thing. The part that nobody mentioned (all those OLD people like my mom and…
Tag: writing practice
At Night at Disney Hall
Ray and I went down to Disney Hall tonight and heard the L.A. Phil perform Mahler’s 1st Symphony. It was “casual” Friday so Gustavo Dudamel, the LA Phil’s 30-year-old conductor, came out in jeans, a polo shirt and Converse tennis shoes. All the rest of the orchestra was dressed in jeans and tee-shirts, too, which…
An Empty-Nester on the Move
Tonight I am too tired to write much. The truth is I hand wrote an essay for my blog, but am too tired to transcribe. Students and preparation for my online class, plus a major room switch prompted by our youngest child moving out are the blame. I am happy with the room switch, however,…
My Imaginary Friend, Tommy Wizzims
I told this story to some of the volunteers at the St. Thomas the Apostle Breakfast Club where we were feeding the homeless this morning. Someone was saying she fell in love with a teenage boy when she was three. I had to tell her about Tommy Wizzims. Here is that story written a while…
LA News Highlights 11 pm January 14, 2012
Murders in Orange County Returned Iraqi vet Accused of killing four homeless men Crowds mourning the men’s deaths Tracking rain tonight A few clouds out there already Rain likely for later tomorrow We really need the rain Two LA area women Managed to escape the sinking Italian cruise ship Life boats went down sideways Since…
Prompt: The Gift of a Quilt
I am giving each of my three daughters a quilt as a keepsake. These are not quilts made by me with fabric from their Easter dresses or from their first days of school. How I wish I had been so forward thinking that I had saved those favorite dresses and tops for that purpose! No,…
Back in LA
Arrived this afternoon 803 miles across Texas to El Paso Then 700 through New Mexico and Arizona to Los Angeles Sunset Boulevard bustling People in shorts 75 degrees and sunshine Seeing students late afternoon and early evening Back to work after 2 weeks off Sitting in my living room as if I never left Falling…
To George on What Would Have Been His 62nd Birthday
Today is my brother George’s birthday. My brother who died eight years ago. My brother who was three years older than me and was my closest friend from birth. The first person I adored with all of my heart. When I was little he would ask me to go upstairs and get his shoes and…
Last Night in Texas
It’s been a good long trip and we are here for our final evening. I just heard the cat hop off of the chair upstairs – his domain – and he is now eating. Amazing how sound can travel down the stairwell. I am sitting in the staircase room in one of the yellow wing…
Prompt: Take a Traumatic Event and Write How You Would Change How You Acted
When I was nineteen, I was sexually assaulted. A boyfriend turned mean and perverted what had been a loving sexual relationship. I spent three days locked in his apartment with him terrorizing me. I will turn 59 in a few weeks. I have spent the last 40 years carrying those three days with me. I…
20 Minutes a Day 