Author Archives: janishaag

Waltzing into the last day of this year,123123, we cannot help but look back and reflecton the woulda shoulda coulda’s. But we also cast a hopeful glance forward,123123, trying not to imagine the inevitablesadnesses, the potential falling aparts, the departures … Continue reading →

He rings the doorbell, twice,loudly, the old bell in the kitchensummoning me as if to a fire. But it’s Ernest come to offerhis hands for whatever taskshe thinks need doing—today clearing gutters and roof ofa forest of leaf litter. The … Continue reading →

She is bundled, as she often is nowadays,in puffy black vest and an equally puffy jacket,shoes on, ready to go when I arrive at 9. “Hi,” she says as I set down my stuff. “I’vebeen up since 5, and I’m … Continue reading →

Learn how to:• Skateboard• Dance• Scuba dive• Sail a sizable craft• Play guitar and sing• Speak at least four languages Most important:• Be born into human form again,some time, some place.Doesn’t matter where or when,but preferably to kind peoplewho adore … Continue reading →

On Boxing Day, the hub and the bubhaving subsided, life resuming itsnormal ebb and flow, I errand around my ‘hood, decidingthat yes, I will tackle the traditionalpost-Christmas chicken lasagna that Dick and I have come to love,so I stop at … Continue reading →

It’s been 33 Christmases since we’ve hada baby boy to fuss over, and that one’sgrown up to be a band director, and his sister, the high school photographyteacher, and her husband have thoughtfullybrought the best gift to the party— their … Continue reading →

Christmas is coming. (future tense)Christmas is upon us. (present tense)Christmas joy spreads throughout the land.There is no Christmas like snow Christmas. Santa Claus is coming to town. (hopeful tense)He sees us when we’re sleeping;he knows when we’re awakehe knows when … Continue reading →

Searching for the app on my computer,I stumble across a photo of you that Itook seven years and eleven days ago at Burr’s, you having polished offa turkey sandwich, you in town fora visit, you upright, on your feet, the … Continue reading →

In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing. We lived at the junction of great trout rivers in western Montana, and our father was a Presbyterian minister and a fly fisherman who tied his own … Continue reading →

for the Together We Heal writing groupon the winter solstice, 2023 ••• Heads bowed, bodies stilled,it looks as if we’re doing nothing,when, actually, so much coursesthrough us like snowmelt overrocks, making its way down,down, down. Not wanting to go there, … Continue reading →