Suprise Me

I suppose you could say any number of those events was a type of death ... but the death of Great-Grandpa was the first time being aware that a human being who had been in my life would no longer be there. Read More

All of us of a certain age remember the “duck and cover” drill, as if ducking under our desks would shield us from nuclear fall-out. We labeled it the “kiss your ass goodbye” move. After World War II, as more countries, particularly our mortal enemy, the Soviet Union, obtained nuclear capability, some built their own… Read More

The storms began as I left her house with her kiss still on my lips, and grew in ferocity as I drove south along the Turnpike. Read More

Accessories? I have never been into purses or shoes or hats or scarves. I have bought all those things, of course, but only as needed, not in a collecting kind of way. However, in junior high school, I wore bows in my hair almost every day. My coiffure may not have been the angel hair… Read More

The most complete darkness I ever knew was in Vietnam Read More

When I was little, Susan and the Rain was one of my favorite books. Of course it was partly because my name is Susan, but also because I hated the rain. Here’s how it starts: Susan Amantha Cottonwood   was a little girl      who was always good –         when the sun… Read More

How clear it seems in retrospect. Read More

I hope when you grow up you'll have kids just like you. Read More

Years ago, while visiting my sister, one Sunday I went to church with her and her family. I remember the pastor delivering his thoughts about how many times in our lives we are faced with choices. Choices which cause us to make decisions as to what path in life we might choose to take and… Read More

A beautiful green-headed hummingbird has landed on a branch beside one of your bones. Read More