Too Long at the Fair (a short story)
What happens when a woman who has used her looks to navigate the world without ever finding herself grows older? Maggie smiled over the scrambled eggs, hoping her mascara hadn’t … Continue reading
Me Who?
#MeWho isn’t a movement. It’s a statement of invisibility. We indicate our respect for status or social power with our attention. Someone with great status can quiet a room by … Continue reading
My Real Grandma and Sugar Cookies
Grandma stands at the head of the kitchen table. “Go ahead and stir it up. I’ll do the cleaning.” “Oh, Gram.” A pause. I’m old enough to know better, but … Continue reading
How Do We Come to Be Who We Are?
Recently, a dear friend and I were wondering how people come to be the kinds of people they are. How is it that some are so astoundingly good and good … Continue reading
The Yard Sale
I wish the following were fiction. It’s not. It’s an illustration of the kind of greed that pervades our society and the kind of honor that defies it. She … Continue reading
Stop! Thief!
A not-so-underground belief many have embraced is dishonesty is clever—and, moreover, it’s cute. Characters in film sometimes shoplift as part of a romantic montage that could be called “Lovers Acting … Continue reading
When Women Accept a Back Seat as Their Due
“If you are lonely, then you will know/when someone needs you, you love them so…” (“As Long as He Needs Me” by Lionel Bart). In the musical OLIVER! the barmaid … Continue reading
Step Away from the Herd! The Pitfalls of Cyber Communication
As we learn more about Facebook and other social media sites and the masses of information they hoard about each of us (they record links I don’t remember clicking!), we … Continue reading
Hugs to All Survivors
Have you lost a loved one to an unexpected, horrific death? Any loss, of course, is unsettling because the world tips out of balance, but a bad surprise is like … Continue reading
Look Up or Fall Down!
“If you were in the hospital, they’d list you as a risk for falling.” My nurse friend’s words lay like cold oatmeal in my stomach. In my imagination she said, … Continue reading
