Lighting Out for the Territories

“But I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally, she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it.  I been there before.” Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain   As usual, I really should be asleep.  But there’s a load of laundry still… Continue reading Lighting Out for the Territories

Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Dr. Rhonda Houston

They call me Houston at the hospital. Sometimes they add “ Dr.” or “Dr. Miss” before Houston, but either way, I’m still Houston. As in, “Houston, we have a problem.” I work at a behavior health facility. I said I would work the trenches for a semester about 15 years ago and I’ve never left… Continue reading Please Allow Me to Introduce Myself by Dr. Rhonda Houston

Love Actually

When I got home this evening I could not believe my eyes.  My husband was sitting in front of the television watching, for about the thousandth time, the movie “Love Actually.”  Let me digress for a minute….have I told you about the television?  It is HUGE and takes up most of my family room.  Three… Continue reading Love Actually

The Most Wonderful Dog in All the Land by Jackie Widen

  Sunday, December 18, 2011 in Austin, TX was overcast and cold.  It was the kind of day that encouraged hot cocoa, a warm robe, some channel flipping and being lazy.  But it was also my birthday, so I knew it was my Day to Plan.  I announced to my husband:  Today is the day… Continue reading The Most Wonderful Dog in All the Land by Jackie Widen

Where Has All The Good News Gone?

  Occasionally, something I write gets picked up on another of the “social media” outlets, and as with this blog, the responses I get are truly appreciated and provide me with insight into others’ points of view.  After my essay about the tragedy of Newtown, CT last Friday night, one reader responded: “ I wonder why… Continue reading Where Has All The Good News Gone?

My Funny Valentine

I was watching Saturday Night Live tonight and Paul McCartney was singing.  For several years I have had to suppress a cringe when he comes on stage and sings live—there is something a little bit unseemly about a 70 year old man who’s had a face lift or two singing “Hey Jude.”  But there he… Continue reading My Funny Valentine

The Stars are Misaligned Tonight

As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods. They kill us for their sport.  King Lear, Act IV There are certain days that everyone will always remember.  People of my generation uniformly remember where they were and what they were doing the day that John F. Kennedy was shot.  My children’s generation will… Continue reading The Stars are Misaligned Tonight