I am blessed to have ten grandchildren, an even split of boys and girls. Another little guy will join our clan later this year and break the tie. Unfortunately, none of them live in San Diego. My children are where …

Grandparenting from Afar Read More »

The end of summer draws nigh, and the start of the school year looms in the horizon. One of my grandchildren entered kindergarten this year. His school follows a modified year-round schedule, and classes have already begun. The photos of …

Back to School Read More »

This section of my blog is categorized as “Kids and Critters.” My son’s wedding included both. Two granddaughters, ages 3 and 4, served as flower girls. They happily donned fancy dresses with fluffy full skirts that swished and swayed as …

Flower Girls and Furry Ring Bearers Read More »

Graduation. A time of transition. The end of one chapter, and the start of another. Commencement ceremonies abound, from preschool to graduate school. Each step a celebrated milestone. Luckily, my kids send photos and videos of my grandkids’ awards and …

Graduation Season  Read More »

When you become an adult, birthdays often loom large, and you wish you were younger…with fewer wrinkles and pounds. Kids, on the other hand, can’t wait to be older…at least usually. One of my granddaughters recently had a birthday. When …

Birthdays through the Ages Read More »

Melodic music soothes the soul. However, the screeches and twangs of a budding musician can  have the opposite effect. Kids have to start somewhere, but practices can be torturous to the ear. The missed notes and discordant sounds are painful …

The Sound of Music  Read More »

As I’ve previously mentioned, most of the humorous scenes in my books are based on real-life incidents. My children and grandchildren have provided ample fodder for my stories. My beta readers have had fun guessing which child served as the …

Bad Hair Day Read More »

Family photos can be a painful ordeal. It’s tough to coordinate naptime schedules and the best sunlight for photographs. And, if you want a beach photo, the tides must be considered as well. Sometimes, getting a group photo in which …

Family Photo Fiasco Read More »

I used to scoff at dog owners who put bandanas or sweaters on their furry friends. Now I’ve become one of those people. My kids ridicule me ruthlessly. When I included Ruby’s cute little mug on the back of my …

Furry Fashionista Read More »

For me, the best part of the holidays is the chance to gather together with friends and family. Don’t get me wrong, I love the food and festive décor, but those are just the trappings, they don’t open the door …

Family Time Read More »