The Family Spy

Flowers Dress Rehearsal I am alone in my in-laws’ house, rummaging through cabinets. In the garage I find the necessary tool: Dad’s rose pruners.  I will need them to complete my mission. The night before my plan had been to purchase a compact, tidy bouquet to take to my mother-in-law’s hospital room. In the morning, early, her doctor […]


Cows, Horses, and Truth

Oceanfront Pastures, Mendocino County, February 2011 The Spin Cycle When our grandson Cadence was two, distinguishing between cows and horses challenged him. He’d point to a neighbor’s horse and say, “cow.” “Horsie,” I’d gently correct him. We’d drive by a herd of cattle and he’d say, “horsies.” “Cows,” I would remind him. Finally he developed […]


Cows, Horses, and Truth

Oceanfront Pastures, Mendocino County, February 2011 The Spin CycleWhen our grandson Cadence was two, distinguishing between cows and horses challenged him. He’d point to a neighbor’s horse and say, “cow.” “Horsie,” I’d gently correct him. We’d drive by a herd of cattle and he’d say, “horsies.” “Cows,” I would remind him. Finally he developed a simple […]


Cows, Horses, and Truth

Oceanfront Pastures, Mendocino County, February 2011 The Spin CycleWhen our grandson Cadence was two, distinguishing between cows and horses challenged him. He’d point to a neighbor’s horse and say, “cow.” “Horsie,” I’d gently correct him. We’d drive by a herd of cattle and he’d say, “horsies.” “Cows,” I would remind him. Finally he developed a simple […]


Cows, Horses, and Truth

Oceanfront Pastures, Mendocino County, February 2011 The Spin CycleWhen our grandson Cadence was two, distinguishing between cows and horses challenged him. He’d point to a neighbor’s horse and say, “cow.” “Horsie,” I’d gently correct him. We’d drive by a herd of cattle and he’d say, “horsies.” “Cows,” I would remind him. Finally he developed a simple […]