The Gambler’s Advice

The Gambler’s Advice

I’ve driven through Las Vegas, played a game or two- didn’t lose any money probably because I didn’t exactly gamble, so I guess I haven’t really experienced Vegas, but about that we’ll talk another time. What brought a flood of memories back were the timing of song I heard on radio and a deck of…

No Problems

No Problems

 I grew up with plenty of adventure. Oftentimes I’d go hiking with my friends in thick forests, sometimes following a winding path to a river and at other times running downhill in search of blackberry bushes. Blackberry season was a favorite time of year. The berries were out of the world! We didn’t seem to…

Right here, right now

Considering how expensive frames are, I decided to make one, which got me heading toward a library. After scanning through a whole shelf of books, I selected about four or five “how to’s,” and sat by a table in a cozy corner to begin reading. Soon, I was too engrossed in my books to notice…

Watch and Witness

I was flipping through a 2008 issue of “The Writer,” and I came across an article advising writers on ways to find new ideas and characters for their novels. I thought it was interesting that the writer Michele Acker suggested simply: Hanging out. For instance, she advised sitting at a coffee shop like Starbucks and…

Kitchen Connection

Do you have a favorite kitchen knife? I do, and it’s elegant, slightly angular and very effective. In fact, my husband has one too. It’s massive, heavy and almost as handy as a tool. Honestly, his knife is quite scary, but it does the job. It’s great for cutting meats and, it even brings back…

Navajo country

The very earth at Monument Valley in northern Arizona felt sacred. Silence overwhelmed my being as I watched the early rays of the February sun reach the tallest of the red sculptures. It is certainly worthwhile to wake up early and catch the sunrise there. I wasn’t dressed for the cold morning temperatures, but the…

Sincerely Salad

Sincerely Salad

A bowl of salad sits on my table, and I’m not quite sure if its come out right. I’ve watched Tyler Florence or even Jamie Oliver dip their hands into large salad bowls, gently folding the fresh greens with unusual dressings, and I’ve seen Giada’s elegant touch to Italian salad or even Emeril’s exotic recipes,…

Bougainvillea

My husband and I often wondered about our very young Bougainvillea plant. “Is it dead or alive?” or “Does it need more water?” We could never figure it out until one winter morning when my mother-in-law, who was visiting, decided to see for herself. She had always been great with plants and took to gardening and…