Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Category: Writing
Reconciliation Redux
Eight years ago, after visiting my parents’ graves in Hastings, Michigan, after arranging flowers and sprinkling birdseed to attract the finches my father loved, and after wiping off the moss that had already started to spread on their headstones, I went with my husband… Continue Reading “Reconciliation Redux”
The Blessing of Christmas Misery
I am a person with a very uneven Christmas life. When I was a kid, the quality of Christmas – not the presents but the mood – depended on whether business at our Ben Franklin Store had been good or not so good. There… Continue Reading “The Blessing of Christmas Misery”
Saturday Night at the Keyboard is Drier than it Used to Be
A while ago, in a writing group, the leader posed the question: What do you do to get ready to write? My writing friends offered up a lot of contemplative stuff like taking a long walk, reading favorite poetry, meditating, deep breathing. When the… Continue Reading “Saturday Night at the Keyboard is Drier than it Used to Be”
My Walk with Swirl and Punchy
It is snowing. It is snowing hard with big, storybook snowflakes like we made in third grade with white paper and blunt-nosed scissors. In our bedroom, Swirl is sleeping stretched out on the floor on a little girl’s flowered quilt, a half-eaten roll of… Continue Reading “My Walk with Swirl and Punchy”
Taco Night in a Chinese Restaurant
At the age of 89, my dad went to the Taco Bell in his small town for the first time. He stood in line for a good while, waiting his turn while a group of teenagers rattled off their excruciatingly detailed orders, and then… Continue Reading “Taco Night in a Chinese Restaurant”
Minnie and BowWow Discuss Election Stress
BowWow: I am about to lose my fucking shit. Minnie: Take it easy. What’s the problem? BowWow: The election! It’s making me bite my fucking tail. I can’t stand it! Minnie: I thought you were a Trump supporter. You should be happy. He’s been reading… Continue Reading “Minnie and BowWow Discuss Election Stress”
Rennie’s Log Slide Dream (What Happens Next): Part Three
The day she picked was cold and clear. Thin plumes of clouds floated over a Lake Superior that was spring blue, indigo blue, like the massive lake had rested all winter to flower on this day. The wind came from the northwest, swooping its… Continue Reading “Rennie’s Log Slide Dream (What Happens Next): Part Three”
Rennie’s Log Slide Dream (What Happens Next): Part Two
Her daughter came in April for Rennie’s birthday. They drove to Marquette and had dinner in a restaurant on the top floor of the big hotel there. Rennie felt like she had been brought to New York City, the place was that thick with… Continue Reading “Rennie’s Log Slide Dream (What Happens Next): Part Two”
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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