Holidays
Farewell to 2014
I boldly limped into you With the ambition to end a few things… My second novel My horrible job My insomnia My doubts I painted novel scenes Climbed Machu Picchu Worked from home Worked out of my comfort zone Derailed my train of thought Blurred my lines Dangled my participles Argued against Oxford commas Obeyed … Continue reading
Xmas Paintings
Back in June, I visited Peru and bought everyone in my family a pair of alpaca socks for Christmas. As thrifty as I am, I knew simply giving everyone a pair of socks was a little lean. Yet, buying for 9 people adds up very quickly. I’m not sure when I got the brilliant idea … Continue reading
Adult Orphans’ Thanksgiving
Every Thanksgiving since I’ve lived in this fine town of Austin, there’s been a “fun” run. Actually, people around here find any reason to run–rain, shine, or sleet! So, I left for yoga a few minutes earlier than usual for the inevitable traffic delay. Other than a clueless runner disregarding the crosswalk sign at an intersection … Continue reading
Halloween 2014
This year, my inexpensive costume was the iconic Cleopatra. I meant to kill two birds with one stone by ordering a Bloody Mary to continue my research. Yet the bar was “provisional,” meaning they only stocked the commonly ordered drinks. The three radio hosts dressed as neon trees–the headlining band for the evening. They got the … Continue reading
Gifts from Dad
Here are the greatest gifts Dad has given me, through the example of how he has lived his life: Love and support your family Honor your commitments to God, family, friends and country Fill your life with laughter Travel to new places Find the humor in things, especially when sad Read, study and dream to … Continue reading
Nine Days of Freedom
This spring break is not just a vacation. It’s a reprieve from an externally structured schedule. As a quintessential Virgo, I’ll always operate on a schedule, but for the next nine days, it’ll be of my own design. What a tease! Calling my own shots while pursuing happiness. Funny how there’s no problem getting out … Continue reading
NYE 2013
One of my friends, who is a professional event planner, planned our New Year’s Eve celebration. She used her hotel points to secure our double room downtown. Some of us came from out of town, but those of us who lived in Austin forgot to bring a cooler. Since we had two joining double rooms, … Continue reading
Laughing My Way Through Christmas
I must admit that now that one of my sisters is no longer a teetotaler, Christmas has become a more Bacchanalian celebration. I started with sampling my brother-in-law’s very expensive Scotch (yuck!) followed by a more palatable, but still nasty expensive cognac. After the ice melted more in the cognac, I reported that the secret … Continue reading
Visiting My Sister’s Family 2013
About a month before visiting my sister’s family in VA, I bought an expensive winter coat for $10 + taxes to prepare for the much colder weather than what I normally experience in Austin. Despite my early morning flight, I still didn’t need my winter coat en route to my final destination. Not only was … Continue reading
Two Thanksgivings
Thanksgiving comes as a wonderful break from work to sleep in and then work on various, small, creative projects. In other words, I truly rejuvenate myself. One thing that I put together was my famous cornbread for the Orphans’ Thanksgiving, hosted by a meetup couple. Not only is one of them a chef, but they … Continue reading