A Baby On the Way

Yesterday, I got to see a picture of my first grandchild in utero. It was amazing the clarity of the picture. I could actually see the little tyke’s profile: his/her nose, mouth and chin. My daughter is four and a half months pregnant and we can already see our unborn baby’s facial features. This is…

When Family Comes to Town

I am sitting here in my living room with my little brother, Sam, who has been visiting us for the past week with two of his three kids, Hutch and Charlsie. The kids headed back to Texas today on the plane and Sam leaves tomorrow morning to drive back to Tempe, Arizona to join his…

A Cooking Lesson with Daughter Rachael

Today my youngest daughter Rachael, age 21, asked me if I would teach her how to make her favorite meal: stuffed shells. She wanted to ask three of her girlfriends over for dinner here at home and serve them stuffed shells, salad, French bread, and homemade strawberry frozen yogurt. “I need to learn how to…

The Day in the Life of a Half-Sick Person

Day Three of being sick, or rather, Day 2 ½ since I came down with that humdinger of a headache late afternoon on Sunday. Today I got up, went downstairs, talked to my middle daughter before she headed to school, checked my email, then came upstairs and went to bed. I slept until almost noon….

Peach Frozen Yogurt Recipe: Delicious

I made this recipe today. I would highly recommend it. I have an electric ice cream and frozen yogurt maker that is easy as pie. Just put these ingredients together, pop them in the frozen bowl, and in 20 minutes you have delectable frozen yogurt, honey-sweetened if you like or sugar if that’s more to…

An Evening of Rock and Roll Photos and Stories

Tonight we went to the Annenberg Space for Photography and listened to a presentation by Guy Webster, the famous rock and roll photographer.  He photographed Bob Dylan, Jim Morrison, Judy Collins, the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones and on and on and on, and he told stories of meeting these people and spending time with…

Better Day Thanks to the Hollywood Bowl

Today was much better. I was up and out this morning to Pasadena and then after students this afternoon, we went with friends and family to the Hollywood Bowl. The Bowl is a must-see if you are in LA. No matter where you sit – and we were in the cheap seats in the back…

Not So Good Day

I am feeling anxious this morning. First of all, I hadn’t expected that my student numbers would be down this year. At this point, I have three parents who have asked if their children can come every other week instead of every week, the first time in my thirteen years of doing this type of…

An Afternoon with Friends and a Recipe for Chicken Vegetable Kebobs

Today we had friends over for a late lunch and I made grilled chicken and vegetable kabobs. I followed the recipe below and they were delicious. We had a fun-filled afternoon, telling stories, swapping jokes, and laughing. Always great to have friends with whom you can be open and real. I hope you’ll try the…

Roget’s Thesaurus: A Hard Copy Must-Have

Roget’s Thesaurus. Ah, heaven. I try my best to educate my students on the necessity of having a hard copy of this three-inch thick book around if they are truly interested in writing. After all, when we’re stumped for just the right word, they see me stand up and head to my bookcase. “It’s time…