Author Archives: Musings

I remember my senior year in college going to a party with a bunch of International Students. And after a few beers, the Internationals took turns doing their impressions of the typical American. One put on a barely discernable southern accent and said something about rodeos. Another talked about wawlking the dawg; and then oneContinue reading “Pure Brilliant You”

is the name of a new book I am reading by Eileen Myles. The book, part craft, part anthology, explores and presents examples of the pathetic. Which, according to Myles, has undergone many changes in definition and reception. For them, the pathetic is the act of taking a little less or a little more. ItContinue reading “Pathetic Literature”

Being on the outside of language is instructive. Being a recent immigrant to a country where I do not speak the language means that I am often outside of discourse. An infantile attempter. A curious observer of language. And when I say language I refer not only to words spoken. I refer to words notContinue reading “Language”

Home…something I am thinking a lot about right now. Happy Thanksgiving, by the way, to all you who celebrate Thanksgiving. Last week I was at my local health food store digging for non-crushed dates at the bottom of the barrel; it was literally the bottom of the barrel. Guess there had been a run onContinue reading “Home”

Recently, I was speaking with a friend about some recurring challenges, that bothered me; and what bothered me wasn’t the challenges themselves, but the fact that I was still feeling them. Like, shouldn’t I be past the whole empty nest thing? And ya, immigrating is hard, but it’s also exciting. And learning a new language?Continue reading “Beautiful Monsters”

About twelve or thirteen years ago I met Angie, one of the wisest, kindest, strongest-in-the-tiniest-of-bodies people I ever met. We were living in San Francisco, and a few of my kids were having some sleeping issues and a friend suggested I try reflexology. It’s like acupuncture, my friend explained, but on the foot. Every spotContinue reading “Can You Bully A Wave?”

My son asked me the other day when I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Or, when I understood my purpose. Or, when I stopped feeling lost. I answered, I still feel lost, somewhat. Or, sort of on and off. Or now and then. I guess what has changed, I explained toContinue reading “Lost and Found”

I went to my first life drawing class when I was hugely pregnant with my youngest. I can’t recall now how I learned about the classes at Académie de la Grande Chaumière in the 6th Arrondissement, but I do remember the bleacher-like seats in the small amphitheater room, and the anticipation of waiting to seeContinue reading “Wanting to be Noticed”

Last week I went in search of bee pollen at a local health food store. As soon as I stepped in, I was reminded of the health food stores I went to as a child in San Diego, with my tofu-eating mother. Before Whole Foods. Before your corner bodega sold kombucha or gluten-free or dairy-freeContinue reading “Behold Beautiful You”

The Israeli elections??? WTF…? No, no, can’t…even begin… So, here’s a more manageable question—what do Taylor Swift, Ross Gay and Marie Howe have in common? About a week ago, my husband and I were sitting in our a-miracle-we-even-got-it appointment at The Ministry of Absorption, which—I know, sounds a bit Harry Potter-ish. This was an importantContinue reading “The Poem We’re Writing…”