I am today-years-old when I have an outloud chat with the weight around my middle. Put on, first, by pregnancy, then restored by wonky midlife hormones, the weight has become an egregious ball and chain. I want a divorce. These are the things I say aloud this morning, standing in my dimestore underpants and bra... Continue Reading →
The Brea[d]ths of July
July 13, 2012, at 7:30 AM This has always been my least favorite day of summer.The one where my child goes off to her father's for a month.The one where my role - and need for my services - abruptly stops. In some years, she will return and tell me they forbid her to call... Continue Reading →
2020: A Year to Memoir Project
In December 2019, I signed on to work with Anne Heffron to coach my writing into something, hopefully, resembling a memoir. We began in January, talking almost weekly for the last six months about process and personal truth and good storytelling. Today July 1 - the halfway point - writing something still feels very big... Continue Reading →
On [trying to] write a memoir during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week or maybe yesterday, my writing teacher, Anne, asked for a paragraph on what it is like to write personal essays while quarantined at home. Four pages and a glass of iced Effen blood orange vodka later, this is what I sent her. Noting after the fact the "a paragraph" stipulation. She graciously accepted... Continue Reading →
Filling in the blanks.
One of the things adopted people lose through adoption is, most obviously, their family. This is the not-a-happy-ending side of things no one talked about, at least not until recently. As adopted people - or unwanted babies and children, as most of us began life as someone's shameful problem to solve - we were told... Continue Reading →
Balancing Act.
Somewhere between being born and being adopted, abandoned people learn that being pleasing means you're less likely to be left behind (again). If you're funny or engaging, kind, people might like you - you might even make some friends. If you're funny or smart or have some special talent or hobby, you might find your... Continue Reading →
Octoberation 
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