Category Archives: Uncategorized

When I was a kid, I thought I hadonly two: Pat and Dee, daughtersof my father’s sister, our Auntie Lo. And then Pat and Dee grew upand had babies, and my sister and Ilearned about second cousins, a nice concept. … Continue reading →

When I ask, you smileand agree, every time, as I present the topof my right hand, and you don yourclose-up glasses, take manicurescissors in hand, and snip the oddlylong hair growing from the centerof that hand that has stroked yourhead … Continue reading →

Sure, the temp’s in the mid-40s, butit’s sunny in Sacramento this fine morning,and we’re into something good,singing along with Herman’s Hermits— the five of us exercising with Shelleythis morning on Marilyn’s driveway—Something tells me I’m intosomething good. I cannot help … Continue reading →

The morning after we land,as I maneuver onto the freeway,head east to the place where I was raised,I am stunned to see more cars coming at methen all the vehicles on the small islandwhere we just spent three tropical weeks. … Continue reading →

(Hanalei town, north shore, Kauai) Ten miles of repainting double yellowlines punctuated with reflective squareson each side will take three weeks, so the flashing road signs indicate.And when we see the crewpainstakingly lining the rural road through Hanalei, we understand … Continue reading →

(North shore Kauai) We think they’re donkeys,but maybe they’re burros…we don’t know, and we don’t care, because I have a bag of small carrotsI’ve been saving for some four-hoovedanimal across the road—from the mooing pipi wahine (at least she sounds … Continue reading →

Perhaps I make up a tiny bitfor pocketing the occasionalheart-shaped piece of coral or smooth fingernail of shellwhen, at the high tide line, I spysharp-edged pieces twined in ocean detritus. Then I stop,bend, pick up the microplasticsthat should never find … Continue reading →

from the time I shuck my flip-flopsat the end of the path till I return. God’s a terrific listener, she of the manygods and goddesses who bless these islands—the divine, the universe,the beloved, great spirit, ke akua— she of cooling … Continue reading →

(for Dickie) It may be like writing in white ink on a white page—love returned, invisible, predictable, some might say— but here’s to the old love, the long love,the no-one-thought-it-would-last love, the paradox of the I-can’t-stand-you-right-nowlove, the please-be-quiet love, but … Continue reading →

(Haena Beach Park / Tunnels Beach, north shore Kauai) “See that stretch of beach there?”Dick says as we drive by. “That little cove?”I nod. “One time I was here—must’ve been 40 years ago—I drove up here by myself, and right … Continue reading →