I grew up in a unique neighborhood called Ordonia. Ordonia was a cluster of 50 or 60 houses across the street from the fertilizer plant where my dad worked. The houses were all company-owned, rented cheap to employees and their … Continue reading →
I was 31 when I roasted my first Thanksgiving turkey while my mother, with her experience and reassurance, coached me from her recliner in the living room. At that age, it was about time I learned the matriarchal skills required … Continue reading →
This post was inspired by The Cartographer of No Man’s Land, a World War I novel by P.S. Duffy. Join From Left to Write on November 14 as we discuss The Cartographer of No Man’s Land. As a member, I … Continue reading →
I really enjoyed this year’s October Memoir Challenge hosted by Jane Ann McLachlan. The themes kicked up a lot of creative energy for me. Although, I must admit that some of the themes, particular the one about Secrets, inspired pieces … Continue reading →
For the final week of the October Memoir and Backstory Challenge hosted by Jane Ann McLachlan our theme is Gratitude and Regrets. I’ve been playing with the notions of Roads Not Traveled and Roads Taken: Childhood Abroad (Not) — October Memoir Challenge Career Steps and … Continue reading →
This week’s theme for the October Memoir and Backstory Challenge hosted by Jane Ann McLachlan is Gratitude and Regrets. On Sunday, I imagined a more adventurous childhood while appreciating the conventional one I had: Childhood Abroad (Not) — October Memoir Challenge. Today, I’m thinking about my … Continue reading →
The theme for the final week of the October Memoir Challenge is Gratitude and Regrets. I’m big on gratitude — an under-sung cure for every bad mood. Regrets, not so much. The word regret always gets me humming the Frank … Continue reading →
This is the third of three posts on the theme Roots and Wings. Memories of home, leaving or finding it, and of travel or journeys for the October Memoir and Backstory Challenge hosted by Jane Ann McLachlan. My first two were: Family Vacations — October … Continue reading →
This week’s theme for the October Memoir and Backstory Challenge hosted by Jane Ann McLachlan is Roots and Wings. Memories of home, leaving or finding it, and of travel or journeys. As I mentioned in my previous post, Family Vacations — October Memoir Challenge, my … Continue reading →
The October Memoir and Backstory Challenge hosted by Jane Ann McLachlan has a new theme for the coming week: Roots and Wings. Memories of home, leaving or finding it, and of travel or journeys. My parents gave us “roots” by visiting my grandparents’ … Continue reading →