There was a time when I loved to talk on the phone. That time is long past, but I remember it.

The summer I was 7, my sister left home to do whatever big sisters do and I was forced to spend my days chasing cows or teasing my brothers. Brothers and cows have limits. Push them too hard and they get surly.

Imagine my surprise when salvation came calling, so to speak, on the telephone. [Read more…]

This is not, as they say, my first rodeo. I know the drill. I’ve done it plenty. But it never gets easier saying “goodbye.” [Read more…]

On this fine winter day, when much of the country is an icebox, I know I shouldn’t complain. I can sit outside, feel the sun on my face and not get one bit of frostbite.

But I’m just going to say it: I am weary of winter. Depending on where you live, you might be even wearier of it than I am. [Read more…]

Friday was my husband’s birthday. We spent it in the car. Not all of it, just four hours.

He was driving. I was writing. It worked pretty well. We had an unpoken agreement. He didn’t tell me how to write. And I tried not to tell him how to drive. [Read more…]

We make the world a better place by being better people _ kinder, gentler, slow to judge, quick to offer grace.

I believe that. But some days, it’s easier said than done. [Read more…]

My aunt Hazel used to say, “I just have to go a-fightin’ all the time.”

I know what she meant.

This morning I had several things I planned to do after my husband left for work. Shop for groceries. Pick up dry cleaning. Call my sister. Split a few atoms.

The usual stuff. [Read more…]

When Henry came to visit, he stood at the French doors in the living room, pressing his nose against the glass, and we talked, he and I, about trees and birds and passing clouds and other fine things that we love.

“Henry,” I said, “do you know what kind of trees those are?”

He grinned his smart Henry grin and said, “Palm trees!”

He was right, of course. [Read more…]

Everybody should have at least one best friend. You can have several, if you want. There’s no limit on best friendship. But if you can find and make and keep at least one, consider yourself blessed.

I thought of that yesterday as I waved goodbye after spending almost six hours with Linda. [Read more…]

   We used to go out dancing, my husband and I. We still do on occasion, though not so much any more. I’m not sure why.
   He’s an editor by day, but a bass player by heart. You know how it is with musicians. With  them, the music never stops. It’s always playing somewhere, if only in their minds. [Read more…]

It was just a small party, a few good friends who’d understand, I told myself, if they came to dinner and I wasn’t home.
Shortly before our guests were due, I became painfully aware that something wasn’t right. And it was getting wronger. [Read more…]