Author Archive: Nancy
Horrible Beauty
When I was out driving yesterday, I was suddenly engulfed in a blizzard. A pollen blizzard. The sun lit up the millions of pollen bits and dandelion fluffs floating through the air. It was the Dance of the Allergens. And I just laughed. Because those awful things reap havoc on me… and yet they were …
Birthdays
A few years ago I wrote a post – Oh, Grow Up! – in which I wrote about the childish things that we need to leave behind. Don’t get me wrong. I think we should act like children a lot more often than we do – especially because we mostly still feel like children inside. …
Counting
When I go to the beach, I spend most of my time counting. Counting heads. I watch everyone. I worry about someone drowning. Someone might not be watching someone they love. Just for a split second. Someone looks away and someone goes under. It won’t happen on my watch. Because I watch. My mother watched. …
You’re Fine
Last year I wrote about Being Kind – To That Special Someone. Meaning YOU. I think in this difficult time – and in good times too, all time, really – we need to be a lot nicer to ourselves. Use the good china. Buy yourself flowers. Take a walk and look at the trees instead of your phone. And please, please, please – Don’t be …
Dear Mom
Back in December, I wrote a post to my mother, apologizing for all the aggravation I caused her. I finally understood how aggravating I actually was, now that I had a dog who was demonstrating to me every possible aggravation a mother can feel. I never showed that post to Mom, however. Sometimes she’s a …
Not Going First
Here’s a story: When my nephew was a little boy, he had a friend that he often played with. Every time they played a game, his small friend always started the game by saying, “I’ll go first!” I remember wanting my nephew to SAY something about this – to stand up for himself and say, …
Bird Droppings
When I was a freshman in high school, I had a pretty long walk to school. And I added to my long walk by meeting up with some friends who did not live near me. I had to walk several blocks in the opposite direction of the school in order to join them. I could …
Measuring Refuge
A wise friend commiserated with me about the frustration and anger that engulfs me in dealing with some of the awfulness in the world. I remember an old “Far Side” cartoon. I will not repost it here, because Gary Larson has asked that people not do that, and I respect him too much to go …
When Reality Disappoints
There is an author I greatly admire. She is a novelist and essayist, a columnist and, well, I guess although the word is out of fashion, you could also call her an orator. She is profound and brilliant. She is also on Twitter. And so I am following her on Twitter. I am a fan. …
notquiteold 