exploring life and love with pictures and words
I was sitting on the patio, enjoying the company of friends, my hands wildly emphasizing my words. I don’t remember what I was saying, only that I had just finished my sentence when I glanced toward the sidewalk and caught his eye. He quickly looked away, spooned ice cream into his mouth, and walked on... Continue Reading →
Last week I recorded my audiobook. I read my memoir from beginning to end, while the talented Mary Catherine listened carefully to every word. She caught the ones I swallowed, skipped or mispronounced. If my voice was too loud, or too soft, or if my intonation was wrong, she coached me until I got it... Continue Reading →
The recent passing of a friend, and then a friend’s mother, had me revisiting loss and my relationship with grief. I am always surprised by its low blow, its unfairness. I had hoped that life experience would build a protective armor around my heart. I’d be stronger; I wouldn’t cry so easily; I’d be less... Continue Reading →
The wine bar is unusually crowded. I spot the only free stool at the end of the bar and ask the guy sitting next to it if it's available. He gives an affirmative nod, and makes room for me. I order a glass of wine and we strike up a conversation. Before long, he mentions... Continue Reading →
When I moved to Italy, I traveled light, selective about the contents I’d be carrying in only two suitcases. Yet, a small glass dish, the kind that holds jewelry or coins, made the cut. I couldn’t resist the call of the six-words that covered its surface. WHY NOT HAVE A BIG LIFE? Safely sandwiched... Continue Reading →
There was a time when airplanes, elevators and crowded places caused my anxiety to flare. I opted out of air travel, took the stairs, and steered clear of claustrophobic spaces. If I avoided these situations, I was mostly fine. But then anxiety upped the ante. Impending doom arrived at first light, lingered all day, and... Continue Reading →
Original Post: December 21, 2014 The holidays always heighten that empty, something is missing kind of feeling. As busy as I am with work, wrapping up a major remodel of my home, shopping, and holiday gatherings, there are moments when I am alone with my thoughts; when I'm stuck in traffic, before I fall asleep, and that time between waking... Continue Reading →
My grandson Luca sings along to Twenty One Pilots’ Stressed Out as I drive. I pick him up after school every Tuesday, giving his mom a break from the south county--north county roundtrip commute. Living with his dad half time in Huntington Beach, Luca has attended school here since he was a little guy in... Continue Reading →
Somewhere between sleep and waking, I float in the periphery of a sweet dream. I want to stay here soaking up its warm light, but the image fades, and peace slips away. A familiar ache creeps into my subconscious and I reluctantly recall the reason for the void I feel. I miss someone. I’m surprised... Continue Reading →
Grief . . . There is no escaping it. All of us will experience a big loss in our lifetime, most of us already have. If we’re lucky we may have time to prepare our hearts for the inevitable passing of someone we love. In other instances we will never see it coming and we’ll... Continue Reading →
Bare Naked in Public 