Recently, from Melani’s Blog:
Kate
My beloved dog, Kate, has died. For almost 18 years she was my companion and huge source of joy. Kate was the smartest dog I’ve ever had and her ability to anticipate what I wanted, and then do it before I asked, constantly amazed me. She was our dog, Neal’s and mine--and he wasn’t a dog person--but there was something about Kate that touched his heart. Losing Kate also feels a bit like losing Neal again. She was the last thing we still shared. Kate had a big life. She lived in Russia, Toronto, Las Vegas and New York City. She traveled with me all over the country. She even met Cesar Millan. She was quietly powerful. I watched her many times stop a big dog in his or her … [Read More...]
Modern Love!
I have read The New York Times “Modern Love” column for at least a decade. The writing is consistently beautiful, and the stories, each unique, have a magical ability to take the reader to places she or he might not normally trek. It has been one of my writing goals to have an essay published in “Modern Love.” A writing professor of mine called the column, “the toughest writing gig around.” Writer K. Nicole Whitaker stated, “It seems the holy grail of essay writing … [Read More...]
Any Fantasy in a Storm
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling a bit blue lately. Not a serious, deep depression but more a just-under-the-surface malaise or maybe melancholy. I understand the source of this—the pandemic—but in that understanding, there’s also no end in sight. I know, I know. Fauci has said we’re getting there but I’m not so old that I’ve forgotten the Hot Vax Summer that never was. I was looking forward to it if you must know. Lots of middle-aged casual sex with other vaxholes like me … [Read More...]
Manifesto II
...one night Mike was in the city having dinner with friends and he called me when leaving the restaurant. “I want to kiss you,” he said and then asked, “Can I drive to your apartment, and will you meet me outside?” He knew I lived with my youngest daughter and visiting me late at night would not be acceptable. “Uh, no. I’m in bed with my faced washed and my pjs on.” I’m not sure why I didn’t want him to drive by? I love spontaneity and it was a romantic gesture. He wasn’t … [Read More...]
