Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Category: Aging in Abundance
Naming Rights in the By and By
My name is a married name and not even the current marriage’s married name. My name harkens from a marriage that ended decades ago. Never mind that my name is a borrowed name, long overdue, what would I like it put on after I’m… Continue Reading “Naming Rights in the By and By”
Irony, Laughing, and Coiled Angst at a U.P. Cabin
There’s laughing at funny things and there’s laughing at irony. I found this picture yesterday while, yes, cleaning my office for the ten thousandth day. This is why it takes so much time, the irony factor. In the picture, I am drinking a beer… Continue Reading “Irony, Laughing, and Coiled Angst at a U.P. Cabin”
Hat Mishaps on Opening Day
I got snippy with a Dancing Granny today because she insisted on opening the $12 can of beer I’d just bought at the ballpark. Like, why do you have to open it? If you open it, I can’t put the can in my pocket… Continue Reading “Hat Mishaps on Opening Day”
We’ll Deal with the Hat and the Meat Grinder Tomorrow
I threw out a study of the county jail’s handling of people with mental illness, a plan to redevelop a neighborhood park, and extra copies of survey reports on homeless people in our town. I also threw out a massive, multi-site study of delinquency… Continue Reading “We’ll Deal with the Hat and the Meat Grinder Tomorrow”
Potato Mashing is so Pedestrian
I suppose saying that I’m really good at mashing potatoes is kind of lame. It seems a skimpy skill compared to playing Chopin or changing the oil in one’s car, which nobody does any more so who cares? Still, I can mash potatoes within… Continue Reading “Potato Mashing is so Pedestrian”
Stories were Told on World Storytelling Day
In today’s episode of going to the conference, I again sat behind the nuns in green habits and failed to inquire as to the significance of the green. When the Episcopal priest took the stage in the most remarkably show-stopping, geometrically fascinating, color rush… Continue Reading “Stories were Told on World Storytelling Day”
Today at the Aging Conference
In front of me sat two nuns in green habits. Next to me was a thin Anglo man writing Arabic on a small pad of paper. He drew each symbol in the most precise manner. When he sensed that I was looking at his… Continue Reading “Today at the Aging Conference”
In the Ear of the Beholder
“She’s brilliant but crazy.” Which was meant as an insult, but I took it as high praise. Always our choice – how we hear things and what we decide to make true. ___________________ Photo by João Pedro Freitas on Unsplash
I Dive No More but I Don’t Care
Funny you should ask. I was just thinking about confidence or, more specifically, conquering fears, inspired by listening to Jeremy Renner read his book, My Next Breath, A Memoir. In the book, he describes in terrifying detail, the moments when a 14,000-pound snowplow ran… Continue Reading “I Dive No More but I Don’t Care”
Twenty Years Ago, There was a Party
[The prompt, borrowed from Red Oak Writing’s Kim Suhr and given to the people in my new writing group was I am in _______’s kitchen and I am ______. Here’s my take.] I am in my kitchen and I’m watching my husband Howard chopping… Continue Reading “Twenty Years Ago, There was a Party”
Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
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