My rendition of a Ron Burns paintingWhenever I visit my uncle who hosts the family reunion on my dad's side, I like to leave a silly painting as a thank you gift. Last year, I left a rendition of one of Ron Burns' pieces featuring a dog. I love Burns' colorful animal paintings! My uncle … Continue reading a talent for making things difficult
thoughts on singer’s the surrender experiment
A few years ago, I read Michael Singer's book, The Untethered Soul. I loved it so much that when I saw his second book, I didn't hesitate putting it on my reading list. The first book offers up tools for breaking free of a mind that thinks it knows how life should play out. Without … Continue reading thoughts on singer’s the surrender experiment
the road to peace twists and turns, rises and falls
(I wrote this last week as my husband, two dogs and I made our way down the freeway from Detroit to my uncle’s place in eastern Kentucky. Reception is iffy at my uncle’s so I didn’t bother trying to post anything while I was there.) Ahhh…. Wide open roads. Blue skies with wispy puffs of … Continue reading the road to peace twists and turns, rises and falls
money and memories in a small town
My dad’s family reunion meets every year at my uncle’s place on the weekend closest to Independence Day. We’ve been doing that since he purchased the property over 25 years ago. He has an old tobacco farm on the outskirts of a town of 47 people. The town has an antiques store, a post office, … Continue reading money and memories in a small town
birding blind in the grasslands
On Saturday, my spouse and I escaped the city for a few hours to participate in another guided nature walk. This time, we went to view nesting grassland birds. I imagined the walk would be a scavenger hunt for bird nests tucked away in the grass. We would peer into their homes like peeping Toms … Continue reading birding blind in the grasslands
standing still
She stares at a bright sliver of green on the other side of the narrow forest opening. It is a lure beckoning through trees that loom around her like a formation of hovering mothers and nervous lovers pressing in on her, like uptight seaweed filtering out the sun. She is a hungry fish trying to … Continue reading standing still
thoughts on moore’s a dirty job
Just finished reading Christopher Moore's novel, A Dirty Job. A friend recommended the novel knowing I'd enjoy the story and Moore's humor. The characters were quirky and fantastic. They all felt strong and bounced off each other to great comedic effect. I was especially satisfied watching the protagonist change from a neurotically paranoid anxious worrywart … Continue reading thoughts on moore’s a dirty job
a new dining room table
I am eight years old in rumpled shorts and t-shirt meandering through an urban cavern of white painted ceiling and walls. False lights fail to mimic the sun in that space full of wood and animals. The salesmen are tigers in suits, smiling, gesturing. The furniture lay scattered about the floor: fallen, dead things polished … Continue reading a new dining room table
death is a free float through pink marbled-paper tunnels
I used to have horrible nightmares on a regular basis. The kind that caused my spouse to wake up because I was screaming. My dreams were full of monsters, demons, and weapon-wielding criminals intent on killing me, if not utterly destroying everything that made me 'me'. I was intent on not letting that happen. Besides, … Continue reading death is a free float through pink marbled-paper tunnels
dad’s education as he saw it
Today is Father's Day in the States. My dad says the last time he checked, every day was father's day. He remembers when Hallmark created this fake holiday to sell more cards and thought it was just as useless now as it was then. I agree with him on the commercial aspect but I do … Continue reading dad’s education as he saw it
life in jello 