I got behind on my daily meditations. In the whirlwind of travel-birthday-Christmas, I was sporadic with my Advent reflection book. So, I’m currently on Saturday, December 21st. (I’m pretending a little that Christmas is a few days away.) “Sometimes it seems like I’m spinning my wheels. I don’t want to wait for the snow to melt ...
Robert’s holiday wishes
I love Christmas cards. I sent them for years. I stopped sending them to save money a few years back. And I continue the non-practice because I’m lazy. I enjoy reading holiday newsletters, seeing kids’ pictures and basking in the joyful sentiments. For the last two years, my friend Robert sent out these poetic ...
Katy’s Kanji
This is the kanji, or Japanese character, for journey. My Aunt Sue and Uncle Rog bestowed it on my parents for Christmas. They have been sailing around the world for seven years. Now in their landlubber transformation, they will caravan across the USA. They ended their holiday note with the sentiment, ‘we are enjoying our journey. ...
My life in movies
I really don’t spend much time thinking about being single. I consider myself independent and self sufficient. Being husbandless is only a fleeting thought at unavoidable moments of validity. There are the wedding announcements requesting all the single ladies to pathetically chase flowers. The IRS annually demanding a declaration of tax categorization. And the occasional ...
Homebound…
I’ve been home now...literally... for nearly 39 hours. During the bulk of that time, the temperature has hovered at -15. Chicago is currently at a crisp -9 and on the rise. Noon is the estimate for returning to positive numbers. I never knew that 1 degree would be such a positive goal. Absolutely, I know how ...
Review “The Shadow over Innsmouth” (WildClaw Theatre): Edgy!
I was a novice to H.P. Lovecraft. Then on Saturday, I had a crash course about one of the most influential American authors in the horror genre. The Super Lovecraft Saturday featured a reading of THE DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE and the play THE SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH. In between the shows, Lovecraft expert Kenneth Hite led a discussion ...
Polar Vortex According to Zissou
Jane Winslett-Richardson: Well, don't you think the public perception of your work has significantly altered in the last five years? Steve Zissou: That's your first question? I thought this was supposed to be a puff piece. Jane Winslett-Richardson: ...should we come back to it? Steve Zissou: ...yeah. Jane Winslett-Richardson: Okay... Is it true that this is going to be your last voyage? Steve Zissou: Wow... no ...
These boots were made for walking
This is how I know I’m cheap about the weirdest things. I have two pairs of boots. My winter ones cuddle my feet like an Ewok hug. My rain ones are bright, sassy rubber ones. They channel my second grade self that wants to stomp through puddles. The winter ones keep me warm but not ...
Delicious Ambiguity
I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.....Delicious Ambiguity.” ― Gilda Radner The ...
Oh, the weather outside is frightful…
Last night was the Wood holiday party. It was held at Bites, a new Asian tapas place. We had the place to ourselves. The food was delicious. The libations flowed liberally. The service was outstanding... and fellow servers can be harsh raters. I left at 11. I was the first one to depart. I was ...