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 […]
Feeling Dread
Lee’s brother and her mom used to regale me with stories of her harrowing first year of life, when, for a time it appears, she hovered above the razor’s edge between life and death. Happily, for all concerned, Lee not only survived but thrived. One time Lee and I were discussing our respective childhood illnesses, […]
Z and Me
Z was the first person I met at the new high school where, as a senior, I was enrolled after my folks relocated from the city to the suburbs. This wasn’t an easy transition for me as it meant leaving behind longtime classmates and friends to start over at a place where I had no […]
On the Road Redux
Lola the pup and I are en route to our winter quarters. It was frigid the morning we left home. Fortunately, the cold that followed us seems to be dissipating here in Oklahoma City. I apologize that I don’t have a fresh piece for this week. However, I assure you that the one I published […]
Planning My Winter Escape
They shut off our Zoom link before Zoey and I had completed reading aloud and discussing tonight’s assigned story, “Pumpkinhead.” However, I was satisfied with her effort and pleased to hear her accurately summarize the story’s message. Zoey was smiling. “This is the best story we’ve studied,” she told me. While glad to hear she […]
Where Does the Time Go?
I have completed a short visit with Craig and Donna, who are hosting one of their daughter’s kids, two year old Micah. It’s early, but Micah and I have already taken Lola for a walk along the nature trail that runs through the town, enjoyed a breakfast consisting of an egg, toast, and fresh fruit, […]
Year End Performance Review
In my working career, I was never part of an organization that utilized performance reviews to evaluate personnel but have many friends and familiars who annually get subjected to this practice. Although I have no business background, it’s plain that a lot of science and research has gone into efforts to develop a fair, unbiased, […]
Winter Break
After last night’s tutoring session, we are on Winter break for the next two weeks. As I wrote back in August, this is my first go-around as a tutor. I thought today might be a suitable time to update you. It turns out that I do have some things I can impart to a student […]
The St. Louis Blues
My mother and my sister died in December. Meanwhile, my dad was born in December. He also nearly died during December, and easily could have, except, being strong and stubborn to the end, he held onto life for two days in January. My dead family tugs at my memory, though never more so than in […]
Emergency Room
This past weekend Robyn, Lola the pup, and I were in the Cleveland area to see our friends Bob and Linda. Early Saturday afternoon, while Lola stayed home to relax, we humans left to eat at a cozy restaurant/gift shop that only serves lunch. After enjoying cups of the delicious homemade soup – I had […]
My Small, Odd Family
My nephew predictably had waited until Sunday afternoon to notify me that he was hosting a birthday dinner for his twelve-year-old daughter and her fourteen-year-old brother on Tuesday evening at the retirement home where their grandfather resides. I didn’t feel slighted. Members of my small, odd family tend to operate on such an ad hoc […]
Thanksgiving Then and Now
As in most families, our Thanksgiving traditions had their own rhythms. We’d gather at mom and dads’ place around mid-afternoon. You could count on my sister to arrive on time except when she arrived early. I, on the other hand, at least while I remained unmarried, could be counted upon to shuffle by later. First […]