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The Long Game: From Flashlights to Weirdos Welcome

  The Flashlight Era Picture me at seven: I am officially "asleep," which is 1970s-speak for "hiding under a floral duvet with a flashlight and a Judy Blume novel." I didn’t just read those stories; I lived in them. I felt a kinship…
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Why I Had to Write a YA Love Story

Inspiration twinkles in unexpected places so when I got the spark of an idea for my new Young Adult novel, I hadn't a clue how that flickering flame would eventually ignite. Nor did I also have any idea how long it would actually take to start…
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Fear and Firestorms in Los Angeles

FACTS AND FICTION No one seems to know just how toxic our air is now from the Los Angeles firestorms that make my head throb, so I nurse a cup of strong coffee, and wait for the Excedrin Extra Strength to kick in. Before particulates populated…
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Chance Meeting

JUST MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS UNTIL I WASN'T On yesterday’s walk, I noticed a young man carefully removing a piece of art from his car. The gentleman had close-cropped hair, beard, and stylish business clothes. Notably, he held the art like…

Writing Equals Healing

    During an interview last week, Doug Blecher, the founder of Autism Personal Coach, asked me: "How has writing helped you deal with trauma in a way that other outlets have not?" If you've ever journaled or kept some kind…
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Pass The Tissues, It’s High School Reunion

How Do We Stay Young? Clean living, regular exercise and mindfulness all play a part. But what about the less obvious stuff? The things you forget to mention to your therapist. The things that catch your emotions when you least expect…

A Tale of 2 Horses

A century ago, I would’ve been meandering with my horse through the old bridle trails when no one thought twice about having a stable on their property. If zoning laws allowed it, my Quarter Horse Huck would be at home, saving me bundles…

Pasture Time

For days I’ve been coming up with excuses to not write about retiring my Quarter Horse Huckleberry. A month ago I decided it was time he went to pasture. Wednesday the hauler pulled into the Los Angeles Equestrian Center early. There…

Tail of Two Holiday Dogs

  The other day I stopped for an almond latte and while waiting in line I overheard two 20-somethings at the next table. One guy said, “My family flies in tonight and they asked to stay at my place for two nights.” “How long…

The Poop on poop

Studies show a percentage of pathogens and bacteria found in the ocean, which can cause typhoid fever, bacterial gastroenteritis and Hepatitis A are from dog poop.                                    …

Sizzle Read

Sizzling days and sultry nights heat up my summer Reading List so don’t judge me for seeking smut. I’m no prude, but since reading E. L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey I’ve been hot under the collar, blushing fifty shades of pink. It’s…

Hello Neighbor

We don’t see much of our neighbors. Cruising in or out of the driveway, we exchange smiles or a nod.  If we’re particularly perky, we wave. On our block, the only thing to spark meaningful dialogue is a problem. My next-door-neighbor probably…

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