My friend Giorgio Modica of Modica, Sicily, passed away on January 24. On his death notice, his family wrote Fu Angelo. Translation: He was an angel. In his youth, Giorgio immigrated to Toronto, Canada, where he lived for many years. He loved Canada, but he yearned to live out his [...]
Sisters! My maternal grandmother was one of five daughters (plus she had brothers). My mother was one of five daughters (plus she had brothers). I am one of five daughters (minus any living brothers). And so it goes. I have two remaining sisters: Nora Brown, née Onofria Brunogallo, and Zina [...]
I am in Stehekin, Washington this very moment. Outside this cabin, a barred owl calls out to us, breaking the stillness of the night. And, yes, I have WiFi and so I can blog! I've been coming to Stehekin annually since 2003 with Leslie and Rick. Well, there were three [...]
The most beautiful hands in the world are not manicured, soft, and bejeweled. They are lined, calloused from coal mining, encrusted with farmed earth. At times, they smell of onions and garlic. They are stained with tomato sauce from canning, dotted with wet bread dough, snagged from knitting and crocheting [...]
Happy Valentine's Day! Last week, the 100+ year old maple tree in front of my yoga studio was cut down and removed. The tree was healthy, perhaps too healthy for its own good. Its ever growing roots had lifted the sidewalk. I witnessed a young man trip and fall on [...]
