Suprise Me

The Honorable James L. Oakes and his wife Mara lived next to me on Martha’s Vineyard until his death in 2007. He was kind, patient, brilliant and I adored him. Mara, with whom I remain close, shared this article on citizenhood, reprinted from the Brattleboro Reformer, on July 4, 2010. She gave me permission to… Read More

He paused, looking like a person who was calculating an age difference or trying to recall the age of consent. Read More

It’s not just the outcome I’m unhappy with. It's also undemocratic. Read More

Now when someone asks what I do, I answer for myself. I’m unretired and I’m writing and having a blast. Read More

The words rolled lyrically off my lips. Each sentence had a rhythm, a cadence. Read More

Had someone drugged the soft drink they served me, at the offices of the mining company where my newfound friends needed to make a stop? Was I influenced by the sultry thirty-something woman who insisted that I receive my first lesson in appraising sapphires? Read More

On Thursdays we got to stay for lunch, which was very exciting - chicken noodle soup and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Read More

When I think about “first times” the one event that comes to mind is the first time I stepped into a gay bar. For the great majority of you, there is probably not any comparable experience you can point to and relate to this experience. You grew up with it being perfectly acceptable—in the right circumstances—for you to… Read More

With apologies to Bob Dylan. Couldn't resist. Read More

I am a born organizer and record-keeper. That is just who I am. My degree is in Theatre Arts and I wanted to be an actress, but learned over my four years of college that I was more adept at being a stage manager, writing down all the cues, running the show while in production.… Read More