As a child, I loved the sound of a match scratching the brown sandpapery strip along the side of the matchbox. I loved the moment of waiting, a mix of anticipation and apprehension, and the hesitation before it burst into flame. I was curious, and I lit things on fire to see what would happen. I experimented with different chemicals …
Into the Earth
I’ve been out in the garden, planting. Digging holes in the earth, feeling how long it’s been since I’ve connected with the soil and unrestrained, living things. Suddenly, as I water in the new plants, tears flow.
Kali in the Mirror
At the end of a tempestuous relationship, I asked myself, “What have I learned from this person?”
The Gift
I was waiting for a red light at the bottom of Topanga and Pacific Coast Highway, on my way to the Farmer’s Market in Santa Monica.
Queen of the Jungle Gym
In elementary school, I was probably single-handedly responsible for bringing an abrupt end to more than a few teaching careers.
A Teacher’s Lessons
My students arrived at 10 AM sharp.
“So, have you ever worked with clay?” I asked.
Revisiting the Nest
It’s been there for two weeks, ever since I returned from New Mexico. Some kind of Oriole–if we are to trust my limited birding skills–flits out of it whenever I open the front door.
Nesting Instinct
I’ve been in nesting mode all spring, and it doesn’t look like it’s letting up any time soon.
