We decided to take our first-ever trip to Italy and began planning in 2010. The trip took place in October, 2011. We reached out to our wonderful and well-traveled Vineyard neighbor, who delights in offering travel suggestions. We told him our thoughts about destinations and price points for accommodations, he came back with a variety…
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Suprise Me
From Florence to Boston
Prompted By Customer Service
/ Stories
We decided to take our first-ever trip to Italy and began planning in 2010. The trip took place in October, 2011. We reached out to our wonderful and well-traveled Vineyard neighbor, who delights in offering travel suggestions. We told him our thoughts about destinations and price points for accommodations, he came back with a variety…
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Dream House
Prompted By Dreams
/ Stories
We often dream of houses, and of stairways…they’re classic symbols. We enter, exit, ascend and descend the various layers of our psychology, psyche, soul.
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Make ‘Em Laugh
Prompted By Comic Relief
/ Stories
Over the years I’ve come to appreciate that having a good sense of humor is an essential trait. Several years ago I copied down this quote which I recently found in the notes section of my phone: “Those who lack humor are without judgement and should be trusted with nothing.” Clive James said, “A sense…
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The LocoMotion
Prompted By Planes and Trains
/ Stories
I took my first airplane trip long before my first train trip, but I love trains so much more.
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The Middle of Nowhere
Prompted By Something Wild
/ Stories
Rob says, okay John, you get to lead the way back, and I smile and giggle and I say are you sure, and he says sure.
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On the Eve of Destruction
Prompted By Politics
/ Stories
The last time I wrote to this prompt was November 7, 2016, the day before our world turned upside down. In that essay, Born Blue, I described what a proud liberal Democrat I was. And I remain so, though these last two years have sorely tried my faith in humanity. My husband went to bed at…
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A Circle Of Life
Prompted By Timing is Everything
/ Stories
Almost like he was waiting for her
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From Yo Yo’s Hand to Johann’s Ear
Prompted By Memorable Performances
/ Stories
A soft, blue velvet regaled The Los Angeles night. The concentric circles of the Hollywood Bowl’s procenium glowed with a warm, eggshell white. White-jacketed waiters served last suppers on trays and scuttled away. Onstage, two microphones bracketed a single, straight-backed chair. Without announcement, a man in white tie and tails walked from stage right, carrying…
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Jerusalem
Prompted By Dangerous Deeds
/ Stories
We spotted three girls across the street. When they saw us they giggled, whispered among themselves, and waved shyly.
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Paying Respect
Prompted By 9/11 Twenty Years Later
/ Stories
We didn’t know Victor 20 years ago. His wife is in a book group with several of our friends. They live in Newton and Martha’s Vineyard and now we, too, are good friends. Victor is Dan’s frequent golf partner and we go to dinner with the couple. One evening, he revealed why he retired early.…
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