Facing Jesus and so much more. The day I took the ready-or-not to be allowed into the church test — I wore one of my best Sunday dresses, the Kelly green one with the white Peter Pan collar. I only wore it on special occasions. I sat with my hands under my thighs, so they would hold still. They also kept my thighs from sticking to my grandma’s blue Naugahyde…

Los Angelenos are leaving the city, and even the state, in record numbers. Megan Hanna is one such person. — According to various media accounts, reasons for the decision to leave range from high small business taxes to liberal politics to the new freedoms workers experienced when working from home during the pandemic. Hanna’s reason is more personal. She describes herself as sensitive, and says she has been that way…

Facing death the second time taught me the beauty of each moment. — A cluster of purple candles lit the small curtained-off area of the metaphysical shop. I sat at a rickety table across from Brett, the psychic. I was counting on him to reveal my future and answer the question that had been nagging me for months — should I or shouldn’t…

Exploring grammar, a long career, and Alsop’s 2020 album, Camping with Dads — Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence…. Noun: A word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things…. According to Peter Alsop, nouns label. They are static and limiting. Verbs describe behaviors, and behaviors can be shaped, molded and transformed. …

A Bit About the Life and Work of Philip Daughtry — Dressed in western duds that would do his ancestors proud, the descendant of outlaws Frank and Jesse James, Philip Daughtry, sauntered up to the bar and surveyed the offerings. “What’s your sweetest drink,” he finally said. “Probably a mocha,” said the barista. “I’ll take one of those. …

Felisha hears keys in the front door, and then the Bang! of opening. “For God’s sake! Who died?” her daughter says, now standing in the middle of the living room, body tense, eyes wide. Felisha holds out the little glass box that once held her wedding rings while she washed…

I walked in the littered gutter through Skid Row on my way to a dance studio where I took lessons a couple of times a week. Tents and lean-tos jammed the sidewalks and cars crowded the street. I smelled lunch being served at the women’s center, maybe chicken and broccoli…

The benefits of walking meditation — Recently, during what started as a pleasant conversation, a friend mentioned how deeply she loves to meditate. She explained how her mindfulness practice has gotten her through these difficult times. “Meditation makes me want to punch people in the nose!” I blurted in response. You can probably imagine the look…

1. Clean dog poop from backyard, just in case he’s left alone while they’re discovering your unfortunate condition. 2. Get rid of ugly clothes in closet, ensuring you’re not buried in something meant for Goodwill (like those vintage pussy bow blouses bought on Etsy during your I-miss-the-seventies phase.) 3. Inform…