I’m Wrong, You’re Wrong

I’m Wrong, You’re Wrong   “Finally, we begin to see that all people, including ourselves, are to some extent emotionally ill as well as frequently wrong, and then we approach true tolerance and see what real love for our fellows actually means.  It will become more and more evident as we go forward that it … Read more

Open Mind, Open Mine

Open Mind, Open Mine   A closed mind is a dying mind. – Edna Ferber   I’ve grown a lot from listening to the Brooke Castillo podcasts. I don’t agree with everything she says and no doubt she wouldn’t agree with everything I say. That’s cool.   I’m proud to say that I’ve changed my … Read more

“They Brought it on Themselves!”

“They Brought it on Themselves!”   That line is only one of many repeated ad nauseam. It’s spouted like it’s an original thought. Like the people who—when they find out my last name is Capone—ask, “Any relation to Al?” or like when John and I were in the elevator on the Azamara Quest cruise ship a … Read more

Ida Liked to Meet Her

Ida Liked to Meet Her     Standing on the Ponte Sisto Bridge in Italy not two weeks ago, I was listening to a couple of street musicians—one guy with a standard guitar and the other with what I’d call an ukulele.   John was not far, but still back at I Dolci Di Nonna Vincenza … Read more

The Voices Missing in the Debate

The Voices Missing in the Debate   My mom tells me that when she brought me home, I cried.   And cried.   And cried.   I was inconsolable for a couple of years, she says. It was hard for her. But she hung in there. I was an 18-month old, separated from my biological … Read more

Job Hazards of a Professional Unpaid People Watcher: The Decorum Chapter

Job Hazards of a Professional Unpaid People Watcher: The Decorum Chapter     Stepping on the escalator at LAX headed for passport control and customs–and ultimately to the upper echelon of Global Entry–I noticed If-you-like-my-body-and-you-think-I’m-sexy Rod Stewart so close I could reach-out-and-touch-him. I didn’t, of course. Pullease. I have some sense of decorum.   John … Read more

Cruise

Cruise   I woke up today having been married 34 years. I’m not sure how that happened. Especially since I’m in my early forties.   John and I are also on our first cruise. As I lay in bed, I had a teeny bite of the writing bug. Partly because I’m deeply grateful for my … Read more

Beignet Day

Beignet Day I don’t know where the idea to celebrate holidays originated with saying “Happy (blank).” Was it Hallmark? However it started, I think some holidays for some don’t begin and end with happy. I don’t mean to be a downer, people, I really don’t. But it has become increasingly clear to me that sometimes … Read more

Have One Best Spoon

  Have One Best Spoon     Two months ago: I wanted to send our Airbnb host a thank-you gift for her hospitality. A nice friendship had sparked while I was staying at her bungalow in March, and one of our conversation themes revolved around coffee. So, after I returned home, I found the perfect … Read more

What You See is Not All That Is

What You See is Not All That Is     I think what I have is a broken blood vessel in my right eye. Google says so. The white of my eye is blood-red and my vision is a little blurry, too. I currently look like a zombie cast member out of “The Walking Dead.” … Read more