Like a Cup of Cold Water

Rush Hour. Laguna Hills, California. November, 2011.  Simple DeedsStopped at a red light controlling a busy intersection, I watched in my rear-view mirror as cars came to rest behind me. It was quitting time on Friday, a brisk hour for traffic. Surveying the scene, I noticed three young men pushing a van that had broken […]


Like a Cup of Cold Water

Rush Hour. Laguna Hills, California. November, 2011.  Simple DeedsStopped at a red light controlling a busy intersection, I watched in my rear-view mirror as cars came to rest behind me. It was quitting time on Friday, a brisk hour for traffic. Surveying the scene, I noticed three young men pushing a van that had broken […]


Not Just Half the Ocean

Grandson Cadence Visits the Pineapple Maze. September, 2011. Photo by Judi Matoushek, my Co-Grandma Another Speck, Farther Across the Sea “This is our guest room,” Elaine said, as we looked at a picture of a pleasant room. “And here’s the boys’ bedroom.” Rich and I studied the computer screen. My daughter, at the other end […]


Not Just Half the Ocean

Grandson Cadence Visits the Pineapple Maze. September, 2011. Photo by Judi Matoushek, my Co-Grandma Another Speck, Farther Across the Sea “This is our guest room,” Elaine said, as we looked at a picture of a pleasant room. “And here’s the boys’ bedroom.” Rich and I studied the computer screen. My daughter, at the other end […]


The Dirty Job of Sacrifice, Mom-Style

Still Life with Aromatic Ointment. October, 2011. The Things Done for Love All my life I’ve used my bare hands to apply mentholated ointment, because that’s how my mom applied it when I was sick as a little girl. Recently I’ve had bronchitis and the ointment has been my friend. Vicks sorely strained our friendship one evening. I’d […]