Not Bad
It is a blessing to live across the street from a market with such lovely fruits and vegetables. They are a feast for the eyes. Plus, it’s handy since there … Continue reading
Her Point of View
The woman totes water in heavy blue jugs. In the shade, the spot is cool–in the sun, the spot is temperate. Winter and summer must be severe, but October is … Continue reading
Part II of the Interview with Rachael Hanel
Do people read blogs over Christmas? 🙂 I had a long, but peaceful trip home on Monday. I’m enjoying time with family and friends. Fewer strangers for the Holidays, and … Continue reading
Interview with Rachael Hanel
The awesome and prolific Rachael Hanel, author of We’ll Be the Last Ones to Let You Down: Memoir of a Gravedigger’s Daughter, interviewed me for her blog this week. It … Continue reading
My Book
So, I wrote a book. I am so grateful for my blog readers who have given me a lot of encouragement in my writing. I’m so fortunate to be a … Continue reading
The Humbling Scenes: Part II
So I knew I couldn’t walk to my Turkish class, and would need another plan. I stared at a map and felt some vague hope that if I went to a … Continue reading
Whatever Will Be Will Be
The tram lurches at stops and the morning riders open their eyes briefly, then return to snoozing while standing. I’ve just arrived so I am jet lagged and full of … Continue reading
Little Miss Dutiful
The middle child adores her baby brother. She kisses him and holds his tiny hand while waiting to board. She’s a proud Kindergartener, offering to carry packages down the jetway … Continue reading
Why I Smile –Even When I’m in the Grocery Store
We stand much more in need of encouragement, of positive and clear direction. We know well enough what is wrong with us, but the monotony of the life sometimes makes … Continue reading
Dear me: Deer. Me.
I’m in the mountains for a few weeks as an adventure. Though not an Outdoorsy person by nature, I do enjoy sitting on the porch to read. On my neighbor’s … Continue reading
Greenland
In the flight from Prague to New York, the pilot mentions it’s a great view of Greenland out the right of the plane. All the window shades are lifted, sometimes … Continue reading
Looking Ahead
“The artist’s life: Are you a born writer? Were you put on this earth to be a painter, a scientist, an apostle of peace? In the end the question can … Continue reading
Brotherly Love
It’s such an early shuttle to the airport. Two brothers wear green plaid shirts, grey sandals, black cargo pants in larger and smaller sizes, respectively. Groggy as they board, their mother … Continue reading
The Storyteller
The man in the red Hawaiian shirt is telling a huge story to his friend while they wait at the bus stop. His gestures make it seem like a fish … Continue reading
From the Subjects of my Blog, Perhaps
Vade Mecum I want the scissors to be sharp and the table perfectly level when you cut me out of my life and paste me in that book you always … Continue reading
The Lunch Date
The little old man settles into the booth with his wife. He sits on the same side with her, though the waitress set the menu on the left, expecting them … Continue reading
Serenade for the Sheepish
From the moment she and her husband are seated, they eat and drink in silence. They don’t discuss the menu. They order by pointing. He looks through photos on his … Continue reading
Missing You
It’s a good turnout for a morning Mass service at the Irish church on the top of the hill. Though, as usual, I am the only person under 40…perhaps the … Continue reading
The Purpose of Rainboots
The little girl is hustling out of daycare with her mother right behind. It’s been raining and Mom is trying to protect and preserve the handful of paper-crafts that her … Continue reading
Two Cheers for Staying Cheerful
He crawls on the elliptical next to mine. He summons a huge breath and sends out a slow, I’d-love-to-seem-determined-but-I’m-here-against-my-will exhale. “Well,” he says it to himself, but doesn’t mind when … Continue reading
The Nice Thing About Strangers 