Birthing a Picture Book & an Author: Part 2 of 2

If you haven’t read part one, the entry before this, you might want to (but certainly don’t have to) take a step back to get the foundation of what I will share now. If you did read it, you know that I have always loved creating stories (more particularly, through songs, poetry, short stories, newspaper/magazine…

To a Hopeful 2023 (with social media, too, sigh)

Happy 2023! A new year is a full of new tomorrows… to mess up or to keep choosing a better path, even when we fail. So when I make and break resolutions, I don’t give up, at least in the long game. If you’re a writer or a dreamer of whatever you’re called to do,…

‘Twas A Night Around New Years…

When all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even Ann’s mouse. Greetings sent out by email with care, In hopes that loved ones received them out there. The children with cousins and laptops in beds, With visions of dumplings and k-beef in heads. “Stonemama” in sweats and papa in ripped tees, Had…

Letter to Governor DeSantis and Others Who Lean Toward His (Il)logic

A letter I sent to his office soon after his public display of bullying kids who wore their masks (definition of “bullying”: intimidate the more vulnerable) We are not out of the woods… Please apologize in public, on camera to the kids (and their families) you yelled at on camera. You use that footage to…

Non-Political Masks Amid Politics

If you cringe a bit when the topic of mask-wearing comes up, please relax those shoulders and bear with me, if only to be thoughtful about both sides of the debate.  First off, let’s put politics aside, no matter how impossible that may feel. I believe we can still do this. Like your mother taught…

Living Amidst COVID-19

Recently, I was encouraged to write about this unprecedented time in history, to add my eyewitness account… What we are experiencing is a kind of metamorphosis.

A Good Friend

Originally published on DailyDevos.org  (for teens) Oct. 20, 2016Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)     I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all ofyou, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospelfrom the first day until now, being confident of this, that he whobegan a good work…

A Stroll Through Historic Olvera Street

  Originally published in The Quarterly, Spring 2016 issue In the heart of historic Los Angeles, across from Union Station, lies a charming burst of colors, culture and cuisine. Olvera Street is one of the oldest streets in LA, a shoppers delight and a snapshot into history. This living museum is home to some of…

Leo Politi’s “Moy Moy” Celebrated

  Originally published 1.21.15 in “A Stone’s Throw” Column in the South Pasadena Review Last Thursday, dancing lions roamed the streets of South Pasadena, winding through the farmer’s market, blinking lit-up eyes, flapping wiggly ears and ushering a crowd into the community room of the public library. As the lively percussion band and lion dancers…