Though this book is written within the framework of Roman Catholicism of the 1400-1500s, it is not a Catholic book. It is a book celebrating Renaissance humanism ( Read more... )

So last week was supposed to be crucial repairs, but as those things do, it all got extended into this coming week, with extra added: the Thursday tank swap for the water softening system because of a slow leak proved on Friday afternoon (of course it was Friday afternoon) a disastrous severe leak ( Read more... )

The wrench of finding your childhood house gone is something I already have experienced. Well, actually, the house where I spent my teens; my parents moved around while my dad was in college until I was two, then we lived in one part of west LA for ten years. Ten very vivid years--I still have dreams that go back there. That house is still there, ( Read more... )

I called my mom yesterday. Not sure she knew who I was (in fact, I'm pretty sure she didn't) but she sounded happy, which is the main thing. Another thing I noticed was that the slight Swedish accent that is distinctive in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin shaped some of her words. She never had that accent when we were growing up. My grandmother ( Read more... )

I was cleaning the kitchen last night while someone else was on the phone with their mother. The TV had been muted for once, so all I heard was "inanity . . .inanity . . . Trump . . . inanity," while over it was this one-sided conversation with what has become a very familiar pattern ( Read more... )

Actually I'm in Camarillo, tucked right up against the foothills of the Conejo Grade. The landscape is so startling, going abruptly from high hills to flat that i'm sure we're on top of a gigantic fault line ( Read more... )

For those who understand German, a fascinating new video blog series put together by Syrians who have had to relocate to Germany. Find it here.

Yesterday my son and I went to visit family for birthdays. First visit was to the assisted living place my mom is now in. It was a jolt to see people my age. I just don't accept I'm old people (unless I look in a mirror, which I try to avoid). But most are the generation before; there was a Friday afternoon wine and cheese thing with a musician who ( Read more... )

The last day or two I've been trying to get out to do some long-overdue garden stuff before it gets too hot, which means right as soon as the sun comes up. As I was toiling away today, I was listening to these ducks that live part time in the water feature behind our tiny patio.


( Read more... )

I've now been doing yoga two years at Underground Yoga in Huntington Beach, CA. I started not long after I suffered a stroke.

Doing some pose correction photos, I thought, what the hey, I'd put a couple up, before the painting I did of Lord Ganesh earlier this summer.


( Read more... )