All Purls. No Swine.
...is to tell their stories. That's what I've tried to do, over the years with my family members, my friends, and many others I've lost over the years. Some of them certainly didn't start out as natural allies. But they all ended up beloved. And the only way I can insure that the world remembers… Continue reading The Best Way to Memorialize the Dead…
Easy. You discover others who haven't done so. They are plentiful. And inspiring. All you have to do is go to ricochet.com to find them.
The following is a lightly edited version of a post I wrote on the Queen's death, a year ago today: The only British monarch of my lifetime died a year ago today. She was crowned in June 1953, slightly more than a year before I was born. I was named after her, “Elizabeth,” and–for my… Continue reading “I have to be seen to be believed”–Queen Elizabeth II
Today would have been my stepson's fifty-eighth birthday. He died, five years ago next week, from a brutal beating by a pair of thugs who were convicted of causing his death, and who are are currently serving their jail time at the pleasure of the United States government. Things being what they are, I expect… Continue reading “His Name is Sam”
June 24, 2023 would have been my mother’s 95th birthday. She died in September 2014, at the age of 86 after a long struggle with the effects of fronto-temporal dementia. Her death was, in the eyes of her children and others who loved her, a release and a blessing. And for her, peace at last.… Continue reading Music To Bury My Mother By–Redux, 2023 Edition
Dateline, the Daily Telegraph, April 16: “Brecon Beacons to be renamed over links to climate change: National Park says the symbol of a ‘carbon burning beacon’ is incompatible with its ‘push to net zero.'” I can’t even. For first (channeling Christopher Smart, because I am an unregenerate Boomer Bluestocking who still has a connection to her past… Continue reading For the Beacons: A Lament
It's been a little more than three years (April 2020), since I first posted this, and perhaps it deserves another airing. Psymon, who entered my life in mid-March 2019, is--without doubt--the smartest, nicest, kindest, best companion and most charming cat I've ever known.*** I've always had a soft spot for 'gingers,' (perhaps it's because I… Continue reading Climin’ Psymon–Redux 2023
Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering 'it will be happier'--Alfred, Lord Tennyson Crimenutely. In my search for a suitable quote of the day for New Year's Eve, I stumbled over a little-known work (at least, I didn't know about it, which makes it little-known in my book) by Alfred, Lord… Continue reading Two from Tennyson for New Year’s Eve
Every year, for almost more years than I can count whether we're together or apart, my family has raised a glass each Christmas season to those we love but won’t see again in this world, and to those we love who are still with us, but who are not able to share our celebration, because… Continue reading …To Absent Friends and Loved Ones, 2022…
...is to tell their stories. That's what I've tried to do, over the years, with my family members--father, mother, husband, stepson Sam, stepson Mike, friend Colleen, Mr. Right's first wife, Auntie Pat, and many others I've lost over the years. Some of them certainly didn't start out as natural allies. But they ended up as… Continue reading The Best Way to Memorialize the Dead…