Orene Dunzweiler is larger than life, something I’m trying to focus on as we anticipate her suddenly looming, inconceivable death. I feel dizzy at the thought of her not being here and after a morning of sobbing all I can do is write. I hope to document some shred of how important she is to … Continue reading
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Lifelong Love
My father is larger than life. His gregarious personality has led him into countless spontaneous friendships, marvelous toasts, thousands of entertaining (albeit predictable) exchanges with restaurant waitstaff, and into a marriage of remarkable endurance. He met my mother while working at the local Safeway in his twenties, putting himself through college and then law school. … Continue reading
A Surprising Encounter With a Stranger (a.k.a., When Someone You Don’t Know Says Exactly What You Need to Hear)
I’ve been struggling with my daughter recently. Well, not so much recently, but since she was born. Since before then, actually. Since the 48-hour-long labor that almost took us both out. Since the week that followed in the hospital where I required chest X-rays in the middle of the night, extra oxygen to keep me … Continue reading
Birthdays, whiskey, joys of the crockpot
On the eve of my 41st birthday, I am celebrating, alone, by getting drunk and fat on whiskey, while watching the Olympics. Is that the worst or the best? I’m really not sure. There’s a lot going on these days, a lot of life, death, disease and dealing. Evidenced by the above. That aside (or … Continue reading
From the Land of the Midnight Sun: Part Two
Continued from “Part One”… I don’t watch Martha Stewart regularly (she, in fact, makes me feel like an underachieving loser after too much viewing), but my mom does. We both think she has brilliant, if not always practical or realistic, ideas and like watching the frequently competitive interaction between her and her guests. Well, wouldn’t … Continue reading
Cravings for Two
August 11 was my dad’s birthday and the occasion of the most recent post to this blog. Since there has been a long stretch of nothingness here since that last post, I wanted to explain why. On August 12, I learned I was pregnant. For the next three months, instead of writing, I spent many … Continue reading
Harkening Back (and No Time Like the Present)
I am a girl who loves musicals, sweets and stories. I learned how to bake from my mom, and how to talk from my dad. And I’ve always harkened back – romanticized earlier eras and relished stories from others’ childhoods. Food has always figured prominently in my life, but I know that doesn’t make me … Continue reading
Cravings of Home 