The Truth About Spring

My truth about spring is that I wish it would never end. I’d like to see a full twelve months of spring and here’s the reason why. It’s just more beautiful. Way more beautiful. I live in Southern California and the hills around us are brown nearly all the year. But...

Getting Up

I’ve never been one for getting up early—willingly, that is—at least not for the kind of day that is like every other day. It we are birding internationally, and the guide says we will need to leave the lodge at 4:30 am, I don’t have any trouble getting up at all....

Another Election

The primary election in California is happening today, but I’ve already voted, and here’s the acknowledgement that I did.  Of course, I voted—I always do. I’ve voted in every election ever since I was a child. “What are you talking about?” you ask. “Children don’t...

Little Women

When I taught children’s literature (either classic or modern), I always took a survey the first day. I asked what books had already been read that were favorites, and then we talked about why the students had been drawn to these particular books and why they...

Uncle Tom

My grandmother’s favorite brother was my Great-uncle Tom. They were very close in age and, living on the isolated range in Nevada, had probably made the siblings emotionally closer, as well. They saw friends and relatives from other ranches occasionally, but usually...

To Ukraine

I see your tears I feel your fears I weep Missile strikes obscure the sun Fires burn when day is done People fight their land to save Not to be another’s slave Men are soldiers, women too Needed weapons all too few Bodies look like ragged clothes Broken, bloodied by...