Lightning never strikes twice . . . Night becomes day in the wee hours of the morning, the sky a sound and light show that has me captive in bed. I cannot, will not, move. Relentless, pounding rain has that effect on me. The lightning and thunder are almost a relief, a break in the … [Read more...] about Odds
Girlfriends
Today I’m thinking about a red dress. A perfect red, somewhere between fire engine and wine. Fitted button-down bodice edged in a ruffle made from the same soft cotton as the dress. The skirt was full, a little flounce to it, above the knee. I was twelve (give or take a year) and my best friend … [Read more...] about Girlfriends
Oh, Rachmaninoff where art thou?
It’s late afternoon, a beautiful summer day, and all I long for is the most innocent of pleasures, sitting in a chaise on the deck, music resonating through the wide-open sliding doors. Any random selection from my shelves might do but today it’s Rachmaninoff I crave, "Piano Concerto No. 2." If … [Read more...] about Oh, Rachmaninoff where art thou?
Charmed
It's here -- the shortest night of the year (in the Northern Hemisphere), a good a reason as any to join in the International Short Story Day celebrations across the globe and (re)post a short piece of fiction that first appeared in The Potomac. Charmed "I have a surprise for you," he … [Read more...] about Charmed
Rose is a rose
In the last gallery of The Steins Collect, which recently ended its run at the Metropolitan Museum, is a glass case with books, their own form of art by virtue of both writer and illustrator. What captures my attention is not the fact that Gertrude Stein employed her inimitable prose style to write … [Read more...] about Rose is a rose
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