I began writing this piece almost twenty years ago, after I located a friend's name on the moving wall.  It has become a story within a story.  I had planned to use his real name and details and offer the piece as a tribute. A few years ago I offered the original story to/… Read full post »

The bee room was uninhabitable in warm weather, but in winter when the swarm hibernated, it served as our playroom.  A giant honeycomb, the only insulation the walls held, filled the south wall of the rundown rental that housed our family of seven.  The hum of their activity was a constant/… Read full post »

Childhood memories sometimes return in the same manner a pond turns over.  A scene of peaceful beauty suddenly vomits forth unwanted material in order to cleanse itself of hidden debris.

When I was seven years old I had a favorite dress the color of buttery marigolds.  Chocolate-b… Read full post »

“Quiet,” Grandpa said, holding a thermos above his head like a trophy.  “Don’t wake the others.  Wanna catch a fish?”  Swimming quickly out of the tangle of blankets, I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and eased myself onto the cold wood floor.  We/… Read full post »

Whenever any of my eight siblings get together, the topic of their mother’s saintliness emerges in every family dialogue.  I say their mother because, although we share the same parentage, my mother differed significantly from theirs.  My memories continue to be m/… Read full post »

   Losing My Religion

          I was the poster child for sainthood until my parents’ contrasting religious views clashed within me.  From my mother, I learned to love the drama and pomp of her Roman Catholic faith.  From my lap/… Read full post »

Vivendi les resistance!

            When I began teaching in the late 1970s, I was conflicted.  Was my purpose to fix the system from within or blow the whole thing up and start over?  I tried the former path, but after/… Read full post »