Two days ago, I sat on my sister’s porch in South Carolina, listening to a rooster crow in the woods, and waiting for rain. I expected it to show up soon. The rain, not the rooster. [Read more…]

In 10 days, I traveled to five states (six, if you count Nevada, where I live) in three time zones, to speak at five, count ’em, separate events. For some people _ politicians and touring musicians and wanted felons on the lam _ this might seem purely routine. I am not one of those people. [Read more…]

Once again, I did not bring an umbrella. Or a coat. Or a hat or scarf or gloves or snow boots. Or a rope to tie down my goat. [Read more…]

He calls her his “Big Woman.”
I wish you could see her.
She is big, yes, but curvy in all the right places, taller and wider than I am, which is pretty darn tall and wide. But I will give her this: She wears it well. [Read more…]

The grass is mowed, the porch is swept. The trees and shrubs are green with spring. All is exactly as I remember it. I have climbed these steps countless times, but it’s been a long time, some 30 years, since I climbed them with a baby. [Read more…]

Despite what my husband and children may tell you, I am not what you’d call hard to please.
But I do have a love-hate relationship with one thing: My hair. I wish you could see it. [Read more…]

A jury summons is not something most people are thrilled to find in the mail.
The prospect of taking a few days (or God forbid, weeks) out of your life to sit in judgment on matters that may seem of little importance is disheartening, to say the least _ especially if you happen to be someone who doesn’t get paid unless you actually show up for work. [Read more…]

What do you call it? That moment when someone walks into your life, opens a door in your heart, puts their feet up on your coffee table and makes themselves at home? When you realize that the stranger you just met is going to be a part of you forever? There ought to be a name for that. [Read more…]

Woke this morning to yet another forecast for “abundant sunshine.” The sky was blue and cloudless, the mountains were clear and bright. It was 75 degrees, with just enough breeze to ruffle the fronds of the palm trees and the feathers of the finches hanging on the feeder.
A perfect almost-spring day. [Read more…]

The conversation was oddly reminiscent of one that took place some 20 years ago between my mother and her sister, my sweet aunt Hazel. On that occasion, Aunt Hazel phoned my mother, as she did most every day, only to be told in no uncertain terms that it was not a good time to talk. [Read more…]