When the clouds roll in October 14, 2023 We did not see the eclipse this morning here in Eugene, Oregon, just the light of the sun attempting to shine through clouds. For weeks, I read news that we’d have one of the best views of the solar eclipse ring of fire in the United States. …

(October prompt) Nothing gets in the way of “fears” — The year was 2011. I worked at…

Floyd Salas Influenced The Way I Look at the World — On September 28, 2010, the Berkeley City Council proclaimed Floyd Salas Day! A bunch of us stormed the City Council office to cheer for our teacher, writer, mentor, and friend who changed the way I look at writing and life forever.

How Do You Celebrate Birthdays When the Kids are Grown? — Today my daughter Megan turned 31 years old and yesterday my niece Merehuka also turned 31. They’re first cousins born one day apart, my Libra girls — and this year they were born under the Harvest Moon. Merehuka grew up in New Zealand and moved to Portland, Oregon when she…

But They Won’t Kill My Daughter’s Dreams! (Sept. Prompt) — I wrote this a couple of weeks ago, but it’s taken me this long to push “send” for some reason I cannot explain. It is still September! I will do everything I can to help my daughter Megan so she can get that place in LA and finally move out…

Excerpt from my Book, “How Do I Explain This to My Kids?” — San Francisco 1963 (Shorter version of “School Issues” Chapter) I looked out the gigantic windows in my second-grade classroom at Laguna Honda School in San Francisco. I could feel a little bit of the outside air breeze into the room. I wished I could be out there, anywhere but sitting here in the classroom. SMACK! I jumped as Mrs…

Rhody Days in Florence, Oregon — Friday, May 19, 2023 — Coast adventure — Florence Rhody Days On Friday evening we rode to the coast in Peter’s giant RV. Peter is one of Savoy’s long-time friends, super tall, and always in the mood for an adventure of some kind. It was the first time I’d ridden in one that big, kind of like riding a bus except…

Yet Another Mother’s Day — If I was granted one wish, it would be for all my kids and grandkids and friends like family to live next door or down the street. I would be the happiest mom and grandma in the whole wide world! I feel this even more this time of year. …

I Know Where Paradise Is for Me — I hear people talk about paradise all the time. A few of my friends think Hawaii is paradise, and I don’t blame them. I only visited once, and I loved it there. I’m an avid ukulele player, so, of course, I’d love to visit again one day. My boyfriend considers…