After Lee died, I was left with the photographs and paintings to lift me if I needed to see her. To this day, for example, I will take a moment to look at her images when I go down to the basement kitchen to fetch spare food items from storage. Regarding the painting shown […]
Dear Old Dad
Zoey said, “ I’m lucky to have you as my tutor.” And with that, I felt tears well up in my eyes. I had to look away from the camera that was connecting us via Zoom. I took a moment to gather myself before looking up and replying softly, thanks. She couldn’t know it, of […]
Roesbud
I brought the proposed estate documents my lawyer prepared to Arizona this past winter. With lots of free time, I planned to use some of it to review and revise. Now, it’s springtime. I’m back home. The trees and shrubs are sprouting leaves and flowers. The first annuals have pushed up through the soil; the […]
Old Dog, New Trick
Before this week’s tutoring session, I received the announcement that in several weeks my assigned student, Zoey, a fifth grader, will have end-of-year proficiency tests in reading and math. I’m not certain, but I suspect these tests mainly benefit the tutoring organization, which annually must justify its existence to expand its reach as a tutoring […]
Full Circle
Last Wednesday, when I told Robyn that I might make it home in just three days, instead of the usual four or five, I knew accomplishing the feat meant extending each day’s drive by several additional hours. I wasn’t firmly convinced myself as I much prefer to do less daily driving, not more. The first […]
Re-post (Again)
Last year around this same time I first reprinted the post below (with commentary). It seemed the right time and I can assure you that it was heartfelt. Not much has changed. Lola and I are back on the road this week. The one thing I would add is that this year marks Lee’s milestone […]
Same Time Next Year?
Lola and I leave Tucson for home in just a few more days. I had been toying with the idea of driving north from here to Denver, then heading east on Interstate Highway 70. Doing so would allow for new sights and adventures. To this flatlander, at least, driving over and through the Rocky Mountains […]
The Music Never Stops
My friends Bob and Linda visited Tucson this past week. Along with a couple of other friends, who are now more or less permanent Tucson residents, and several of their friends, the action was nonstop. Truthfully, I’m exhausted! I won’t recap the full calendar of events and activities. However, as always, much of it revolved […]
On a Rainy Day in Tucson
After a lengthy string of beautiful, warm days, it’s raining and cool in Tucson today. Lola the pup is making the best of it, however, there is no run in the park in store for her on this day. Even on an enjoyable extended holiday such as this one, there are bound to be a […]
Waking from a Dream
I woke up in the dark and after a time realized that it had only been a dream. I recall in my dream feeling confused. Now wide awake, I still felt unsettled. I was here in Arizona, enjoying a visit from Robyn, when I suddenly remembered that Lee was back home. In my dream, Lee […]
Valentine Hugs and Kisses
Robyn arrived on Super Bowl Sunday, fresh off visiting her son, her brother, and one of the grandkids in southern California. Robyn was greeted by a small earthquake upon her arrival there, but I would like to think that the Tucson leg of her trip, featuring me and Lola the pup, along with many fun […]
A Cloudy Interlude
Yesterday started grey and stayed that way. Angry clouds enveloped the high peaks of the Catalina range like thick smoke, making daytime darker than it ought to be. I waited for a rainstorm that never materialized. The cool morning breeze that typically favors Tucson originates somewhere southeast of town, but by afternoon it has shifted […]