While meditating this morning, I was greeted by the early morning chirping of a field cricket. He was hidden somewhere between the couch and downstairs sliding window, or maybe crouched just outside the window, or maybe even clinging to the back of the couch or curtain panel... it's so hard to decipher where they are exactly located. … Continue reading A Cricket on Yellowstone Street and Morrison Hall
The Mermaid
Blame it on the heat
That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I'm blaming it all on the heat. Feeling a little cranky (It's the heat). Not motivated to blog (Too dang hot). Can't get into the writing groove ( It's a million degrees outside, what do you expect?). Not really up to going anywhere (In this heat, I'll sweat to … Continue reading Blame it on the heat
Hey, Joe Dimaggio
The first thing I do when I arrive at work is make coffee in my personal Mr. Coffee pot which sits readily at my desk. Accessorized by KMUW mugs, my personal coffee pot helps me begin the day with a cup of fresh coffee, usually from Starbucks or the Spice Merchant, and not the free coffee supplied by my … Continue reading Hey, Joe Dimaggio
A place where there isn’t any trouble
That is what Dorothy asked of Toto in her black and white Kansas. She was searching for the perfect place, beyond the moon, beyond the rain. When I was eighteen, I thought such a place existed. A place outside of Kansas. Born and raised in Wichita, I was the typical teen, always searching, always dreaming, … Continue reading A place where there isn’t any trouble
Get thee behind me, summer
I despise summer. All the sweat and skin. But I remember a time when I used to enjoy soaking up the sun, working on my summer tan. I used to bake on a sweat-sticky chaise lounge in the yard, lawn sprinkler at the ready, my body slick with baby oil and iodine. Yes, baby oil … Continue reading Get thee behind me, summer
Neighborhood heartbreak
I'm sure you've read the paper, seen the news. A 13-year-old boy was shot and killed on Sunday. Father's Day. Killed by men filled with drink and cowardice. Cowardice is the only way to explain shooting at someone through a closed door. Had they waited for the young man to open the door, I would not … Continue reading Neighborhood heartbreak
The Mourning of Strangers
People tell me they couldn't do my job. What is my day job? I help families during one of the hardest moments of their lives. I help them establish memorials at WSU. While it is difficult, it is the most humbling, yet gratifying job I've ever had. I have the opportunity to be with people, … Continue reading The Mourning of Strangers
CDs, albums and BMG Music Club
Just by posting "albums" in my title, I've surely dated myself, but the other morning my husband mentioned the BMG Music Club, an entity I hadn't thought of in years. As a matter of fact, we weren't sure they were still in existence with all of the mp3 players, iPods, etc. I attempted to Google … Continue reading CDs, albums and BMG Music Club
Poems and a picnic table
Yesterday we had our staff retreat at Eberly Farms. I assumed I would post today about the retreat, considering that it was the most interesting retreat in the five years I've been with my current employer. We had an incredible speaker who was lively, intelligent, funny, and kept us thoroughly engaged as we discussed the results of our … Continue reading Poems and a picnic table
The day after a holiday
It is June 1. Already. And it's the first day of the work week following a 3-day (4-day for me) weekend. Always tough. I always wake up on the side of ambition going into that first day after a holiday. Like this morning, I got up after only one snooze-button tap, 20 minutes of spine-stretching … Continue reading The day after a holiday
Mermaid of the Plains 