Yesterday at a store, I saw an old acquaintance.  I was in a hurry to get ready for the once-monthly meal I help organize and I needed filling for our sandwiches, which were to feature BBQ 'pulled pork.'  I went to the deli to ask if they carried it, my eyes… Read full post »

It was not today, but Thursday over a week ago that I woke up in the morning and walked past my grandmother's room.

"Take me to the hospital.  I wanna go now, this way, " she said, asking to go in her robe and slippers.

Granny is normally a hospital avoidance… Read full post »

I was originally going to compose a long post about the emotional rollercoaster that was last night's town hall meeting on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Keep in mind that these are people still bitter over their battles with insurance companies post-Katrina, so would they have a more nuanced view… Read full post »

Reading the guest post about someone who wanted to go back and find The One--the love of his youth--made me wonder again if I have missed one of the most remembered experiences in many lives--the first love.

For me there has been no first love...not even a serious boyfriend. I have… Read full post »

This December 1^st, I started training at the Worldwide Widget Manufacturers.  Having lost my last job three months previous due to this superb economy, I was happy for another chance at solvency.  Also, I have a sick mom whom I partially support and an out-of-work brother.  I ne/… Read full post »

...-prone Mother Who Has Heart Trouble

Me:  You don’t, Mama, you don’t need to check your medicine.  I’ll give you—

Her:  It was right here.  Just let me--- (yanking things out of a carefully packed sack)

Me:  MOM!  I just fixed that—… Read full post »

The diesel truck ahead stirs butterflies in its passing wind. They start from the shaken greenery, bouncing like dust from an old quilt.

A call from a few hours ago set the trip in motion, set me crying on my brother’s shoulder, and set us on a path to pick up… Read full post »

Breathless with a bloody hand, he pounds the midnight door, finally hearing a wheeeezing from within: “Who…is it?

With a smile that glides through solid oak:“It’s your old friend, Jimmy!”

“I don’t know any Jimmy.”

“I just need to use the phone. I… Read full post »

for a boy from Minnesota.  He was tall, with dishwater hair and long, finely-shaped hands.  He wore the slacker clothes of the 90s--corduroy pants and sweaters.  He was full of cleverness and irony.  And he had a girlfriend.

I met him in England, where I went to do an exchang… Read full post »