And Another Thing
There are times when I breathe deeply, center myself, and send silent blessings to the people and things that are impinging on my attempts to find inner peace. Right now is not one of those times. I don’t feel like looking at the big picture, realizing how insignificant daily irritations are in the big scheme […]
Continue readingThere is no friend like a sister
Once, when making small talk with a colleague, I asked her how her sister was doing. I was surprised—no make that stunned—when she said she didn’t know, because she hadn’t talked to her in months. Today, I celebrate my good fortune in having four sisters, each of whom I speak with, laugh with, argue with, […]
Continue readingMy Day at the Office
When I worked in a traditional job in a traditional office, it was common practice during a push to meet a deadline to retreat to cubicles or offices, close doors, send calls to voicemail, and focus entirely on getting the project done. I find that harder to do in my home office because the other […]
Continue readingThe Only Constant is Change
Recently I read one of those posts that periodically make their way around social media, asking you to cite your favorite song, or TV show, or book. This one asked for a favorite quote. Now, one of the things I like best about reading is the way you can suddenly come upon a sentence that […]
Continue readingSituational Extrovert
My introvert inclination toward a social event involving more than a few friends is to search for a polite excuse. I don’t dislike people. I just find large numbers of them gathered in one place somewhat overwhelming. This is especially true when I don’t know most of them. My store of casual chit-chat is rapidly depleted […]
Continue readingThis One’s For You, Aunt Helen
The holidays are a natural time for looking back, but I was struck today by how the unremarkable objects of everyday life can stir a flood of memories any day of the year. Whenever I make a cup of tea and drop in an ice cube to bring it to drinkable temperature, I think of […]
Continue readingA Secret Order
My name is Susan, and I have a very messy desk. I’m hoping that out there is a chorus of people shouting “Hi, Susan,” in recognition, solidarity, and non-judgment. Though I’m sure some looking at the actual, real-life photo of my desk that accompanies this post are recoiling in horror. The inability to maintain workspace […]
Continue readingDangerous Waters Prologue
Bryan Crawford steps from his warm house into the cold air of a March night. He is heading to his outdoor sauna, as he does every Friday evening of the year. The light rain that hits his face makes him shiver. He’s glad his sister Rhonda isn’t here. She’d be nagging him to wear a […]
Continue readingBob’s Your Uncle
Probably all families have a store of catch phrases—familiar “in house” sayings that serve as shorthand for getting a point across, or calling up a common memory. Some are universal, like “Don’t make me come up there,” or, “Do you want me to stop the car?“ But others are particular to an individual family’s experience. My […]
Continue readingThe Lightning or the Lightning Bug
I’ve written on the topic before, but it’s an endless source of amusement to me, so I’m sharing some additions to my husband Gary’s unique take on the English language. I like words, some just for the way they sound, rolling off your tongue. I like others for the nuances and delicate layers of […]
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