1. Southern Rock

Musically, I never saw this one coming. Born and raised on 70's pop, I should dislike this kind of macho heavy-handed, long-jam rock whose lyrics can lean toward bigotry and closed-mindedness. But play a little Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band or ZZ Top and ou… Read full post »

 _{Ruby Lawrence, one of my closest friends and co-host to 11/11/11 party.}

 

I met Open Salon's Cartouche last year. It was as natural as the breeze. We hugged and proceeded to spend a glorious weekend in Florida together, as if I'd known her my whole life.

So strange,… Read full post »

The dollhouse? He broke my dollhouse too?

In my early 20’s, I naively thought someone had to hit you to constitute an abusive relationship. I didn’t know that breaking all of your shit was also a form of abuse. And that’s what Bill did.…

Read full post »

I was suspicious of them early on, though I wasn't quite sure why. Perhaps its that pervasive and cloying "pink means female" message. We suffer from a "cute" femmy disease and wear sweet little ribbons to prove it. Barbie should wear one!

After watching several friends and relatives die
…

Read full post »

Years ago, I had the pleasure of watching Kazuo Ohno perform. Kazuo Ohno is one of the founders of Butoh, a distinctive, evocative and often disturbing dance form born out of the horrors of wartime bombing in Japan.

When I saw him perform, he was in his 80's. He was beyond mesmerizing.… Read full post »

Fall descends upon the Jersey shore. The tourists have scuttled back to their suburban box homes with their whining offspring in tow. Quiet stands a chance once again. And although this season ushers in some much needed peace, it also fills me with a sense of "Oh my god, how the… Read full post »

 

So you have a cell phone? Okay, well good for you. I do too! Fancy, isn't it? But remember, there are some rules to remember when using that spiffy telecommunication device of yours in public:

1. You're not special because you have a cell phone. Small children and… Read full post »

(This is a short story I wrote for Redroom.com last week on the topic of "life changing decisions.")

 

This town is so empty. Even the breeze feels empty. A dead, lukewarm breeze.

 

Walking down the bleak, sun bleached streets, I wonder if there’s any life… Read full post »

I’m looting my neighbor’s garden. Looting light, I would call it. Everyone has been evacuated and I’m one of the few remaining at the Jersey shore during Hurricane Irene. I grab a few ripe tomatoes, a batch of heady oregano. It’s all/… Read full post »

 

As a single American female in my 40's, I feel it my duty to impart sagely advice to as many young men as possible. As a surfer, I am provided that opportunity. Many young men have approached me with pleas of guidance. And I’m happy to impart.… Read full post »

 [This piece was originally posted on FreedomisGreen. Chris Goldstein and I - both longstanding OSers - are editors there. Please stop by and check it out!]

 

I was ten years old and living at the Jersey shore when I heard the song  “Someone Saved my Life Tonight” by… Read full post »

 

 

[This was first published at RedRoom.com, another great site for writers.]

(This piece was originally posted at FreedomisGreen.com. Please stop by and take a look. Two Open Salon members - Chris Goldstein and myself - are founding members and met here! The power of OS once again.)

 

"Miss, either take off your sweatshirt or that woman right there will pat… Read full post »

I’m not defending Kristen LaBrie. Her case is hardly clear-cut. This single mother was convicted of attempted murder, among other charges, for ceasing to give chemotherapy to her 9-year old autistic and cancer-stricken son, Jeremy Fraser. He eventually died and she will spend 8 - 10/… Read full post »

_{My father left me to be with this family.}

When you discovered my dead father last weekend, Peg, it went beyond the boundaries of friendship. I was ready to leave his body behind...but no, not you. You were determined, even after the tranquilizers set in.

When I went back to…

Read full post »

This list came about when my friend Madge (see, Peg, I told you I wouldn't use your real name!) said that there aren't many drummers who sing well. So I spent precious hours last week doing music video "research" instead of working and making money so my friend could see the… Read full post »

It's been a long winter. They're all long winters here at the Jersey shore. You try to keep yourself entertained in any way possible. For kicks, I taught myself the lyrics to Eminem's Lose Yourself, the popular hit from his movie 8 Mile.

Well, it was no easy feat for a… Read full post »

 

They didn’t even know I was still in the room, they were so drunk, so wrapped up in one another. I couldn’t help but stay. Emotional train wrecks are awkward, sure, but fascinating to watch.

These two have been going at it for years. They…

Read full post »

 

I pulled over to the side of road to drink in some fading winter sunlight, sparkling on the bay. Coincidentally "Blinded by the Light" was playing on the… Read full post »

What's missing?

“I think that’s just an urban legend, Clint.”

“No, this guy told me it really happens.”

“It would be sexual harassment.”

“No, not if he just places it there.”

My friend Clint, who recently joined the Navy and will be workin… Read full post »

 

When my mom was dying of cancer years ago, I gave her a journal. I told her to write anything she wanted in it. My mother was a consummate reader and a creative writing teacher, so I knew it wouldn't be a stretch for her. After she…

Read full post »

 

I'm hiding in a snow drift in my backyard, waiting to hear his truck leave. He bellows, "Let me in, Beth Mann." I know what he wants. And I can't give it to him. But why?

Kurt is the youngest of the brothers I've befriended here at the Jersey… Read full post »

Okay, I tricked you - there's actually a small handful of good holiday songs and the rest should be candy caned to death. (The remainer of the best holiday songs will be revealed at the end of this post. - don't peak!)

Do They Know it's Christmas is a song that continues… Read full post »

Last week, I caught Gwyneth Paltrow singing at the recent Country Music awards, which could make anyone’s lunch rise.

And not just because of her thin, barely passable voice. Nor was it the fact that heavyweights Patty Griffin and Vince Gill served as musical crutches.… Read full post »

I'm SO going to sue you for this.


1. Back in the day, you could eat bacon freely. It was the world’s tastiest meat product and we celebrated it, proudly. Now, we have to watch out for nitrates, fat and salt - not to mention the pig’s welfare. Back in the… Read full post »