Rewatching old favorite tv shows from start to finish has been a favorite activity in this Covid season. Currently it's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I've been waiting and looking forward to one episode in particular, Aunt Viv's 40th birthday and her killer dance routine. Why? One, it's a legendary episode of 90's TV. Two,... Continue Reading →
One Year Ago
My friend loves birthdays, especially hers. Last year was a big one. 30, otherwise known as "doble quinceñera" in our circle. She had been talking about it and planning it for two years, changing the theme and adding new ideas. Her birthday is March 14. We had been hearing things about the virus leading up... Continue Reading →
No Soy Bilingüe
No soy bilingüe. Soy de estados unidos. Crecí como un hablante monolingüe de inglés. Me interesa mucho la idioma de español y asistí clases de español en secundaria y la universidad. Aprendí el alfabeto y vocabulario. Pero no pude comunicarme. La verdad era que yo era una perfeccionista. Perfeccionistas no aprenden idiomas nuevas. Es imposible!... Continue Reading →
Sometimes.
Sometimes the days run away from you. You wake up with a plan and a purpose. Sometimes even when you know things are coming, They can still take you by surprise. Sometimes the day turns out to be bigger than usual. What could have been a blip on the radar, Sometimes dominates and takes over.... Continue Reading →
New PD
"I think I know. It's just that there's nothing in the job that fills my bucket, is rewarding, or makes the other stuff worth it. Usually there is. But lately with everything that's going on, it's either the dull and tedious, or the hard/frustrating/sad stuff." I was on the phone with my good friend and... Continue Reading →
Things That Matter
When thinking of what to write, sometimes objects come to mind. There are certain things that just matter a bit more than the rest of the stuff. Maybe it's because as an international school teacher I have several times had to whittle down my possessions from a houseful or "apartmentful" down to a couple of... Continue Reading →
International Women’s Day
An ode to a few of the fierce, smart, and courageous women in my life. When I think of women who have made an impact on my life, this is what I would like to say to each of them. N - Your patience and knowledge sparked a love for and confidence in teaching. You... Continue Reading →
Mentors – Writing Club
I was perusing What a Writer Needs by Ralph Fletcher this morning and spent a few moments in the Mentors chapter. We all have people in our lives who have shaped how we see the act of writing, and more importantly how we see ourselves as writers. Listing out various people and experiences who fulfilled... Continue Reading →
Pancakes
Today I made pancakes. They were delicious! I don't make pancakes very often. It's not as easy as it used to be. I can't just pour out a powdered mix and add some liquid ingredients. For the last few months I have had to become gluten and dairy free, and at first also avoid soy,... Continue Reading →
Dates
There are dates in the calendar that carry more weight than the others. They stand out from the others. You know that they are coming, you feel their approach. Then upon arrival you wake up knowing what date it is, no need to ask or check before writing it on the board in the morning.... Continue Reading →
Last Minute Invite
Last minute invite Neighbor and friend Never ending smile Always a delight Tacos and tea TV and books Laughs and jokes Unexpected visit Newly warmed heart Remembering what counts
Reread to Return
2020 was a year like no other for all of us. It was for me too, in a lot of really big and small ways. In a small way and very good way, it was a year that permitted me to read more than I ever have. 64 whopping titles! For some reason, 2021 rolled... Continue Reading →
The hair stylist tucked a towel around my neck and guided my head into the sink. "Just lay back here," is what I imagined she said. After living in Spanish speaking countries for the last several years I have grown accustomed to needing to guess what people are saying to me based on context and... Continue Reading →
Breathing to Writing
The sounds of cars, trucks, and so many motorcycles making their way up the hill fills my ears. The thin windows do little to keep out the roar of Monday morning traffic. Morning sunlight peeks in through the curtain panels and the bed is warm still beneath me. My eyes are closed, but I'm sitting... Continue Reading →
Fries and Maple Syrup
“Where should we go next?” Ashley asked. Dustin was still scrolling through his phone, as usual. He wasn’t being anti-social. He was researching. He is a thorough researcher and the success of all of our trips can be attributed to these efforts. “How about Biergarten? It looks good.” Dustin showed us the pics he found,... Continue Reading →
Give Yourself Permission
My colleague was standing in my office doorway and we were sharing bits of our day, mostly frustrations. Our responsibilities and the requirements of our time seem to be multiplying exponentially at a pace that’s going so fast I can barely see the items being added to my to-do list. I was sharing a little... Continue Reading →
The Road to Minimalism
Recently I wrote a post about what I might title the chapters of my life. This slice is a story (not a "band-aid" today!) from a memory from one of those chapters. I took a breath and looked around from the doorway of the one car garage. It was dark with cobwebs in... Continue Reading →
My Take on Grief
Someone once said “Grief does not change you. It reveals you.” That is simply a lie. Or at least that’s not my experience. Grief takes you apart. It tears you from the seams and leaves you open and bleeding. You can pick yourself up and put yourself back together. But you are changed. The seams... Continue Reading →
The Chapters of My Life
What would the chapters of your life be called? Elena Aguilar poses this question in her newest book (or maybe the accompanying workbook) Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience. Here are the chapters of my life, so far, of course. The Chapters of My Life The One and Only Perfect Peaches in the Heat Mountains and the... Continue Reading →
My Bedroom Windows
Tonight I made beef and noodles which is a dinner my mom used to make at least a couple of times a month. It smelled and tasted like my childhood which made me think of some other little memories that led me to write about my bedroom windows. My Bedroom Windows On the... Continue Reading →
Read, Write, Travel, Repeat 
