Varina is a beautiful book, because Charles Frazier writes some of the most beautiful, lyrical sentences of any author writing prose today. His words force the reader to slow down and savor every lovely description, to open oneself to the metaphors and allegories hidden within. And yet, the book made me uncomfortable. I don’t know … Continue reading Varina by Charles Frazier, a review
Warning: spoilers ahead. I’ll wave a red flag when we get close, but stay alert. This book made me very sad. I don’t know why I’m surprised, it’s right there in the tittle. It’s not that I can’t handle sad—I mean, I’ve never missed an episode ofThis Is Us. But this book made me feel sad … Continue reading The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (a book review)
Written with my Thursday Writing Group with the prompts: “59 miles,” she said, secret room filled with jasmine and. . ., never saying, this is going to be one of those days, she had that look in her eye, do, and you want to travel blind, light filtered through the trees, Linda, how to disappear … Continue reading Disappearing
Prompts: Still a vigorous man, three doors where your life is headed, work clothes come off, modern attachments, the French was on the boards, ride my indoor bike, mosaics with flowers, part of the humor of everyday life Madelaine sat in a straight-backed chair, arranging the broken pieces of crockery into a pleasing design on … Continue reading The Humor of Everyday Life
I wrote this a year ago when my cats were just babies. They’re much more disciplined now—ha! I was sitting on the toilet a half hour ago, getting a clear view of the leather belt I slipped through my denim belt loops this morning, and I noticed it—kitten teeth marks on the end of my … Continue reading Kittens for Christmas
The prompt for this one was "nature's tranquilizer." This is where it led. I had one of those nights when I thought I couldn’t sleep, when I thought my mind was turning over and over again a tired thought, a hazy dream, and then I rolled over, mumbling and wondering why I couldn’t rest, and … Continue reading Dia De Los Muertos
Written with my Thursday night group with a list of prompts that sounded like a grocery list! Janet perused the grocery list her father had handed her as she headed out the door. Her father was not as organized as her mother and he never would be. Janet simply needed to accept that. I mean, … Continue reading The Grocery List
This was written with my Thursday night writing group with the prompt, "Don't feed the ducks." It should be noted that the photo above is of Joe Mallard, as his mate Marietta is rather camera shy. Joe and Marietta Mallard were vacationing in Sacramento valley pools they caught sight of as they traversed the … Continue reading The Musings of Marietta Mallard
Last week my 13-year-old cat, Angel, was diagnosed with cancer. Her veterinarian/acupuncturist told me the tumors had spread, there was nothing that could be done, and that I had the option of euthanizing her that day. I said no: Angel didn’t seem to be in any pain, she was still running around the yard, leaping … Continue reading Letting Go Of Normal
For thirty-something years I had the privilege of working with children who have severe disabilities. Often when I was out in the community with my students, strangers would approach me and say, “You must be so patient.” Yeah, sure, but probably no more than any other teacher. Other times folks would tell me I was … Continue reading Easter Musings 2015
