Today is Halloween. I have been pondering the way Halloween is celebrated now and the way it was celebrated in the last century. Somewhere, I read that Americans spend more on Halloween than any other holiday. I’m not sure that is true, but from of the elaborate displays on some of our neighbors’ lawns, I […]
Read MoreIt is a soft morning. Heavy fog has given way to watery sunlight that has turned the surrounding landscape into the purple, beige, and pale blue of a faded photo. A gentle breeze is coming in the window and the neighborhood is peaceful. Our calendar is blessedly empty so it’s a perfect time to do […]
Read MoreI started this blog in September 2019. Originally, it was meant to be an extension of my Marcy Mary novels, but then 2020 arrived and life was turned upside down. Just before we realized COVID-19 was an epidemic not seen in modern times, we lost our precious grandson James in an accident. A few weeks […]
Read MoreI am on my second week of life unscripted. For me, that means that after the second cup of coffee, I set the agenda for the day. Yeah, I’m somewhat of a control freak—just ask my children. But I have realized we cannot simply set aside a period of time where we go merrily down […]
Read MoreWe celebrated the last big event of the season. On July 7, our grandson Zeke and his fiancé, Lexi, were married in an outdoor ceremony. Behind them was a chapparal-covered hill. A manicured park surrounded the couple and their guests. The ceremony seemed almost ethereal—most likely because I have seldom seen two people more in […]
Read MoreFather’s Day is coming up, and it seems a fitting cap to an interesting time in the family. Last Wednesday was our youngest grandson, Jaden’s, graduation from 8th grade. Now, I’m not a fan of graduation ceremonies, but this one was poignant. In the past year, Jaden has grown 4 inches, his voice is changing, and […]
Read MoreNot to mention plays, dinners, parties, lunches out, the grands’ games, and annual doctors’ appointments. (How did that happen?) The June calendar is so jammed that I’m exhausted just looking at it! I’ve even started thinking, One event at a time. Sure, there are blocks of time here and there, but the black ink is beginning […]
Read MoreWhen an event occurs in the world that makes us suck in our breath in horror, not only do we experience whatever happened once, but it is repeated in all the forms of media we dip into. Soon we start sharing our dismay and sadness among ourselves and in groups, and I believe that is […]
Read MoreThis week we went to the Central Coast for a few days, and while it was relaxing, there was a cloud shadowing this getaway, much like the foggy mornings. While we were there, John’s ankle really started to bother him, so while he rested, I went out and shot some photos of this beautiful part […]
Read MoreSometimes—and I am ashamed to admit it is very rare—I become overwhelmed by how blessed I am. Recent awareness of blessings started a few days ago as reminders arrived all around me like droplets of spring rain, refreshing my spirit and touching my heart. Last Friday, an unexpected bouquet arrived from a young woman (she […]
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Kathleen Chamberlin 