Today is the birthday of my oldest child, Sarah, who was born in 1982. Even as a newborn, Sarah displayed the characteristics that define who she is at her core. She was alert, attentive, and peaceful. Sarah came out of the womb, looked around the room, and proclaimed, “Ah-Ow.” Rather than cry, she elected instead…
Flash Fiction: Scorned Fool or White Knight?
“Bicycles!” Mary Ann called out as soon as we were near the beach. “Let’s rent bicycles and ride along the strand.” I was skeptical. Not being particularly athletic was only one of the reasons. I was also not that well-versed in bike riding and immediately was sure I’d run into either one of the walkers…
My Mothers’ Day Celebration
Color me happy. I spent a glorious afternoon with Ray; our daughters, Sarah, Liz, and Rachael; their partners, Gregorio, Ron, and Andrew; my grandchildren, Luna, Nico, Lyla, and Ethan; and Andrew’s mother, Martha. We ate, laughed, opened presents, ate more, talked, laughed more, and generally enjoyed each other’s company. Also, one of my former students,…
The Other Side of Mothers’ Day
Mothers’ Day isn’t always easy Many suffer from Loss DistanceDisconnectionGood mothering means Unconditional loveEmpathyForgivenessA kind and generous heartWe all mother in our lives We mother other people,Our pets, Our plants and gardensOur communitiesIf we are able,We mother ourselves
Creating Art to Teach About Nature
Yesterday, Liz, Rachael, and I, in collaboration with Footprints in the Soil (FITS), an environmental non-profit, set up a children’s craft activity at the Ojai Farmers Market. We wanted to do an art project that involved native plants, so we picked different materials that came from our orange grove: lavender, sage, rosemary, mustard, onion blossoms,…
“Marry Something”
This is a piece I wrote a while back. However, it reflects a true belief that is important to me, namely that in order to gain the real benefit of whatever you’re doing, you have to truly commit to it. Not commit to everything, of course, but to one thing that pulls you in with…
Back Home After My Great-Nephew’s College Graduation
Tonight, Ray and I returned from a short trip to Salt Lake City to celebrate our great-nephew’s graduation from college. We left at 10 am Mountain Time this morning and arrived home at 9 pm Pacific Time. A long driving trip but with some pretty views and lots of good music and radio shows on…
Family Celebration in Salt Lake City
We are in Salt Lake City for the celebration of my great-nephew Eli’s graduation from college. Eli is my sister Leslie’s grandson. Here are some photos of our family gathering. Unfortunately, Rachael and Andrew couldn’t join us since they were returning from Houston, where Andrew participated (and finished) the Iron Man race. Sophie (Eli’s sister),…
A Case for Curiosity
When Pandora first received the jar (not a box) that her husband asked her to watch, She had no intention of opening itIn fact, she hardly listened when he asked her becauseThe kids were screaming, and dinner needed to be madeSo, there was no premeditated plan on her partTo do what she didShe was too…
Elegy for Brother George
At Mass this week, your name was read from our parish’s Chantry Book,commemorating the anniversary of your death, May 3, 2004.Every year when I hear “George Biggers Leatherwood” called out, I sigh and think, “I miss you, Brother.”I miss your chuckle, your smile, your sense of humorYour ability to cut right through any b.s. and…
20 Minutes a Day 