Lately, I have had several conversations with friends I don’t see often. These chats invariably start with the question, “How are you?”—emphasis on the “are,” looking the person in the eye with genuine interest. I guess you would call this type of interaction “catching up.” But here is the interesting thing. Every single person I […]
Read MoreIn a few days, we will open up a figurative calendar that seems to be a blank slate where anything is possible. Being somewhat of an optimist, I’m looking for good things: for happy times, for good health, for milestones reached, for spiritual peace, and for Teddy to finally stop seeing guests as giant hairy […]
Read MoreIt is a typical California December sunset. Branches of deciduous trees and a few palms are silhouetted against the dark shadow of the mountains and a sky that has a slash of deep coral fading into peach, pale yellow, and the purest blue blending into the blue-black cap of the night sky. Tonight, the moon […]
Read MoreSeven weeks ago, I had thumb-joint replacement surgery. I knew it would include a three-month rehab period at the start. What I didn’t know was that Teddy and Sadie would be all in as caretakers. When I arrived home from the surgery, the pups greeted me exuberantly but seemed to know that a lot of […]
Read MoreI was given a rare gift today: the gift of solitude. I was completely alone for an hour as Sadie and John slept in. I made myself a cup of tea, snuggled into a chair, and looked out at the winter landscape. The chapparal continues to be dark green, but the surrounding hills are dotted […]
Read MoreAfter a very warm October and November, fall seems to have truly arrived in Southern California. Today there is a crisp wind, bright trees in autumn shades, and clear blue skies. Soon Thanksgiving will be here, and like everything else in 2020, it will be different. Looking out on our serene valley, it is easy […]
Read MoreI still believe good things are coming, but it seems too many “good times” have set back our progress in containing the coronavirus. I have no doubt that we will defeat this plague, but in the meantime it would not be wise to “let the good times roll,” like we did in 2019. Doesn’t the […]
Read MoreI’ve been looking for signs of summer and trying to capture that carefree essence that defines the season. Where we live, the weather in June is definitely transitional. A blanket of fog appears many days, and sometimes the sun never appears. I’m reminded of the Carl Sandburg poem: The fog comes on little cat feet. […]
Read MoreI had a very trying morning the other day. Nothing major, just a whole flock of irritations. So I knew I was not in the right frame of mind when I sat down to write this blog. While I was waiting for my ancient Mac to open Word, I noticed a small box that had […]
Read MoreMarch 17 is Saint Patrick’s Day, and I’ve decided to let you in on a little secret. My mother wanted to name me “Kathleen Mavourneen” after the old Irish ballad, but my older sisters prevailed and I ended up with “Kathleen Helen.” (I think I prefer “Mavourneen.”) My heritage is not all Irish, but I […]
Read More
Kathleen Chamberlin 