How perfect!—my daughter writes a post about being on the road and my thoughts turn to coming home. It happens every year. Thanksgiving rolls around, she lives in L.A., I picture her here, the sleepy hamlet of Katonah, NY. Home. No secret that air travel—even without the added stresses of … [Read more...] about Coming Home
Lipstick
There’s a woman who lives down the road from me, a hearty soul who ran the family business, a septic-tank service, until Alzheimer’s put the brakes on some of her organizational skills. I’d see her on the road walking one dog or another (she has two), a stick in hand to keep at bay any … [Read more...] about Lipstick
Replacement
On any given day, I'll open my e-mail to find a message from daughter, link included, The Daily Puppy. Hard not to be charmed by pictures of puppies, with or without the subtext, this one needs a home. The photos that cut to the heart are the ones that bear a resemblance to our dog, now … [Read more...] about Replacement
A Dog’s Death
I listen for the sound of footsteps, the early morning signal that she's up and ready to go out. Rituals that take hold, thirteen years' worth in this case, are not so readily relinquished. If I listen long enough, I may even believe I'm hearing her. In a way, I am. I'm hearing her nails click … [Read more...] about A Dog’s Death
A Dog’s Life
My dog is poised on her rocky perch, staring out at I don’t know what. Alert to anything and everything, squirrels and deer high on the list of attention getters, cars and trucks (UPS and Fed Ex especially) a close second. I learn a great deal from watching her. She’s a smart dog, smart enough to … [Read more...] about A Dog’s Life