Not being home for the holidays.

I love Christmas.  Or so I think.  But when I come to Los Angeles to see my family and friends, it no longer feels like the holiday I love.  There’s no big dinner with mom’s best china, silver and Fostoria (Buttercup pattern, if you please).   No turkey smell creeping up the stairs before we [...]

Julie and Julia

Yesterday was Mike’s birthday.  He turned 51.  To celebrate, we drove to Portland, in the rain, checked into a hotel, ate BBQ pulled-pork sandwiches at the hotel for free, then watched Julie and Julia.   His pick.  But he was just being nice to me.  But he liked it!  And so did I.  Merryl Streep [...]

Active Stillness

Carmel Market Originally uploaded by dorkodog I have recently reconnected with a long-time friend. For nearly 15 years, we had shared many of the same experiences through church, Middle School and High School, and then college. He was an important person in my life and I counted him a friend. I believe he counted me [...]

Summer Birthday Party

Today we celebrated our 7th or 8th  annual Summer Birthday Party.  Usually we’re down at Mary’s house in Tacoma, but with me housebound and recovering the women moved the party to Mercer Island. Kim, being a summer birthday girl herself, was here from LA, and along with Laura, Mary, Rachelle, Kathleen and I, we celebrated [...]

Perseverance and Patience

Zoom Originally uploaded by dorkodog My friend Anna Q is in the 2nd or 3rd grade. I can’t remember which. She likes to play basketball, but isn’t that good at it. Still, she runs up and down the court and tries to make baskets and puts her hands in the air to block her opponent’s [...]