Bad Christmas Gifts: Silent Suffering through the Dogs, Misfires, and Lead Balloons
We’ve all been there. Been on the receiving end of misinformed, clueless, or simply lazy gift givers. Or we’ve watched as others opened gifts they never wanted, never asked for, and won’t keep. We’ve all had to utter that “thank you” under our breath to keep the peace. Maybe we’ve received the same gift back […]
2024 Christmas Book Review Roundup
If you have a hard-to-buy-for book lover on your Christmas list, here is a vetted list of 34 books I’ve read this year that I can highly recommend! Those of you who follow this blog know that I write periodic book reviews during the year. Where does the time go? I couldn’t possibly write reviews […]
Ghosted by a Friend Over Trump: Five Ways I’ve Moved On
There was something about the text message I just read that seemed off to me. It didn’t sound like my friend Gabby at all (not her real name). Early warning signs Things had been growing tense between us for about a year prior to the events I’m about to describe. Ever since I’d moved back […]
Renters Who Become Crime Victims: How to Break Your Lease (or Not)
Crime is rampant for apartment dwellers I was recently browsing on the social media site NextDoor® and ran across this post: “Just drove through my apartment’s parking garage (Heights West End) and witnessed a trail of cars on blocks. In all my years of apartment living, I’ve never seen anything like this. They hit car […]
Sometimes Our Heroines Wear Pointe Shoes
Sometimes Our Heroines Wear Pointe Shoes [Note: this story was featured on the podcast The Story Voice on July 25, 2021, hosted by Dr. Hank Roubicek. See the Epilogue at the end, to find out how this came about!] I moved to Houston, Texas in 1988 when I was 30 years old. Suddenly separated from […]