It was something about the eyes. Anyone who looked into them was momentarily taken aback. Many actually did a double-take, as in – this can’t be right, I can’t have seen what I thought I saw. But they did. Murphy’s eyes, liquid brown and shining, were so humanlike, you could not help but think he […]

“Please say hi to Murphy before you meet the puppy,” I instruct our guests without any fear of being labeled a crazy dog lady. Because of course, I already am. Murphy had taken to shedding his natural aloofness to greet each guest personally and effusively, also bestowing on them the inevitable drool. I always have […]

Just about the only time I am ready and willing to broadcast my age is when participating in a road race.  In that case, the older the better. Since I came late to running, I can count on my compatriots who were runners in high school and college to be dropping like flies from bad […]

She was the best of dogs, she was the worst of dogs. We found her on Petfinder after losing our 12 year old chocolate lab to cancer and seeing how lonely and stressed our remaining dog was. The Omega of dogs, our Logan needed a strong bitch to rule his life. And that’s how Daisy […]

A few days ago I wrote to a friend –“I am tired of feeling vulnerable.”  In fact, I am probably less vulnerable than most in terms of Covid.  I am fully vaccinated and boosted, under 65 and without underlying health conditions.  So what’s the big deal really, if I do catch the latest Covid variant?  […]

We recently took up sailing. While my husband is fairly new to sailing, he is an experienced mariner. I am not naturally comfortable on the water, but I’m learning.  I train at home for strength (raising those sails) and balance, because I am in charge of getting to the front of the boat when it […]

We hold tight to so many things in this life, from the truly insignificant to the supremely vital. A hairstyle from 20 years ago. An outfit that you will never fit into again. Your children as they were when they needed you. The love you have for your family. And if we are lucky, the […]

Back when a trip to the grocery store was scarier than any horror movie, the sound of a cough could do me in.  “I don’t like the sound of that cough,” I’d announce to my husband.  Full disclosure, as a health care provider, even before the pandemic, I haven’t liked the sound of a lot […]

Procrastinating writing is helping me get so much done.  Hey those old photos aren’t going to upload themselves.  Nor are the old tax papers going to get shredded on their own. I make the bed, do the dishes, make sure the bathrooms have toilet paper, clean the dog’s ears – all to avoid sitting at […]