Author Archives: janishaag

The courage to be brave when it matters most requires a lifetime of small decisions that set us on a path of self-awareness, attentiveness, and willingness to risk failure for what we believe is right. — Mariann Edgar Budd, Episcopal … Continue reading →

We mourned the felling of the old walnuttree, having no choice in the matter, the decision of unseen higher-upsin his condo community. One of us took photos of the otheratop the remaining stump, and one of us cried when she … Continue reading →

Of course, she did, seeing as how her sonhad just announced he was leaving home, heading for God knows where—God knows why—Gonna be gone for some time, don’t know how long, any shekels you can spare, Ma?You’d throw the loaded … Continue reading →

(For Dickie) Mine is South Pacific, 1958Yours is For Whom the Bell Tolls, 1943 South Pacific is so much more you,filmed as it was on Kauai, your favoriteHawaiian island, which you gave to me,along with Mt. Makana, renamed Bali Haifor … Continue reading →

May we surrender all cynicism and doubtabout the state of the world to her,she of the serene face and gentle countenance, her leafy crownblooming the deepest red of—what else?—her great heart embracing for all growing things, which certainlyincludes plants and … Continue reading →

It’s my fault. I left it outside,and she must’ve decided it was a good place to hunkerdown and start lacing a net with her delicate long legs,hinged needles that look so vulnerable, easily broken.But that’s why, instead of bringing it … Continue reading →

(for Lisa Morgan and the Oakmont High School class of 1976) As if we needed proof in mimeographedform, on printed programs with onlya small stain testifying to the decades, the summation of our high school liveslies on your mother’s kitchen … Continue reading →

Even when you think it’s just a gray day,it’s a day, after all. And you awoke, if a bit creakily, moved the sore bits,but you awoke. You moved. You rose, with or without assistance (there’s alwaysassistance from those seen and … Continue reading →

We are rooted in fertile ground,and our roots go deep and our love abounds. —from the song “Fertile Ground” by Amanda Udis-Kessler ••• This spring in my gardenevery day is a flower communionas I walk among the blooming that surprise … Continue reading →

Inventor of the mammogram, whomade it possible—nay, required— for anyone who owns them to gettheir breasts mauled by unforgiving steel. Men, of course,invented this torture, going back to Albert Solomon,1913, first x-raying breasts, and Raul LeBorgne, whomwe have to thank … Continue reading →