Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Category: Writing
Come Find ‘Em, It’s Fine with Me
Tonight I read a long essay on salon.com about a woman, adopted at the age of 4 by an Australian family, whose Chinese birth mother had tracked her down. The woman got a letter with a phone number, called the number, and then ensued… Continue Reading “Come Find ‘Em, It’s Fine with Me”
The Racial Dimensions of Potato Salad
Years of working in multi-cultural environments taught me only one true thing. Ninety percent of the time I am completely ignorant of the racial dimensions of anything and am relying almost entirely on the good will I hope I can generate by being a… Continue Reading “The Racial Dimensions of Potato Salad”
You Need to See a Shrink
Every time I drive this patch of road, which is almost everyday, I remember being told right at this exact spot, “You need to see a shrink.” I was the passenger in the car. The driver was my friend who was also my boss… Continue Reading “You Need to See a Shrink”
No Friends Allowed
“We don’t want them to have friends. We don’t want them getting attached to the other girls or to staff members.” This baffled me. How do you keep girls from making friends? And why wouldn’t you want them to get attached to staff? Wouldn’t… Continue Reading “No Friends Allowed”
A Week on the Street: Homeless in America, Your Turn
A Week on the Street: Homeless in America, Your Turn A pitch for a new TV reality show Five dollars, the clothes on your back, no cell phone, dropped off in a Midwestern city that’s new to you, challenged to survive, not get robbed,… Continue Reading “A Week on the Street: Homeless in America, Your Turn”
Stay in Your Lane
The entire trajectory of my life would have been different had I been able to do a Catalina when I was in [Synchronized] Swim Club at Southfield High School. Not many people can put their finger on their personal critical juncture or in my… Continue Reading “Stay in Your Lane”
On the Other Side
I think I passed over to the other side. It happened tonight with my 12 college students. “You’ll have to speak louder. Remember I can’t hear.” So the young woman in the corner spoke so I could hear her but I know she was… Continue Reading “On the Other Side”
Speak to Me, Mr. Fox
Yesterday, my daughter texted me the link to The Fox, the music video made by Ylvis. Initially, I was worried that it might be an awful video that one of my other kids was in. That’s a joke, friends. Don’t anybody run to the… Continue Reading “Speak to Me, Mr. Fox”
Farm Life
She could watch everything from the loft, her old pony walking slowly on his tether, the golden crown of his mane, her father opening the gate to the trailer to take him away. _______________________ Written in response to a Trifecta Writing Challenge to write… Continue Reading “Farm Life”
The First Night of Class
The first night of class I want to bring them candy. I want them to be surprised at my generosity and impressed by how cool I am. Instead I bring copies of my syllabus, a bio, and a little survey for them to complete.… Continue Reading “The First Night of Class”
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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