Is it the smile—smug and a little condescending? The tilt of her head, lifted slightly as she looks down both literally and figuratively on those around her? Maybe it’s the jewels, or the opulent fabric of her gown. Or maybe, even more likely, it is the mirror in her hand, a mirror that is likely... Continue Reading →
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
The first time I went to Ireland it was with someone amazingly, incredibly special to me. When I think about Ireland it will always remind me of that glorious new beginning. Today on St. Patrick's Day I wish you all a happy, festive and wonderful day. Thank you for coming along with me on this... Continue Reading →
A Million Blazing Colors
I searched for inspiration and I came back with nothing. The rain, and everything around me felt suffocating and I escaped into the gloom and the drizzle outside looking for a spark—a tiny glow to set me on my way. The beach was cold—the water grey and angry. I brought a blanket and laid it... Continue Reading →
The Amazing Year of the Ox
Who will you be, 2021? And who will I be, by the time you’re over? It is a habit of mine, at the beginning of a new year, to sit and think very hard about the next year and who I’ll be by the end of it. It’s become important to me, as integral as... Continue Reading →
A Thousand Words
When you look at him, what do you see? A god? A human? Something in between? The day was a sunny mid-afternoon in Rome, spent sightseeing and wandering the halls of the Galleria Borghese. I had seen many beautiful things that day—sculptures, ancient crumbling buildings, lovely frescoes— all testaments to human creativity and vision, glimpses... Continue Reading →
That Far Away Place of You
Where are you? Can I join you? I think I'd like to know, even just for a moment, what it's like to be behind your eyes. Sometimes I know I would jump at the chance, and other times, I'm not so sure. If I traveled there with you, what would I be like when I... Continue Reading →
The King of Writer’s Block
The universally feared and loathed King of Writer's Block...this gentleman and I, we know each other quite well. I've been to see him many times these last few years (unwillingly, of course). I've spent countless hours in his presence, staring at him through the blinking cursor on the screen. I don't know what he looks... Continue Reading →
Help, Book in Search of Title
My great great grandmother had six first names. Elena Patricia Catalina Adriana Lucia Lourdes. The names in my family tend to run long, but her name was long even by our standards. The story goes that her parents gave her the names so that when she was old enough, she could pick the one that... Continue Reading →
To the Most Boring
I can see it so clearly. Seventh grade, an early afternoon right after lunch. Tired and ready to go home, 30 students had taken their seats in the last class of the day. And sitting towards the back of the classroom in a wooden desk, was a 12 year old me. I was excited for... Continue Reading →
We Return Lost Time
I responded to an interesting ad today. I saw it in the paper, right there next to all of the other usual things being advertised. It was only four words. "We return lost time." Underneath this there was contact information. I read it again. What did that mean? Unable to resist, I got my things and went to the address advertised.