Category Archives: Uncategorized

GOOD GRIEF

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Alexis

Evidence of grief and loss is all around right now:  on the news, in the streets, even in the air millions of us in the Western U.S. are breathing.  In my Northern California yard, I wipe ashes off the top … Continue reading →

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POEM FOR OUR TIME

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Alexis

This lovely poem, passed on to me by my Spanish teacher, is from the Purepecha people of Michoaca’n, Mexico. It was written in the 1500s but strikes me as relevant today, in this unexpected situation in which we find ourselves, … Continue reading →

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FINDING JOY

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Alexis

Recently, Janet Compiano Alonso–a friend since 4th grade–sent me the following note about an event that brought joy in her life. And since she has known me since we were nine years old, she calls me Karen–though I am not … Continue reading →

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MANSPLAINING

Posted on August 17, 2020 by Alexis

I was driving with a close friend the other day and the subject of protective gloves came up.  I was thinking out loud about when to don gloves to protect my new granddaughter when my friend began to fill me … Continue reading →

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MOTIVATION LOSS SYNDROME

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Alexis

I just made up the title, “Motivation Loss Syndrome,” and then found that there is a named condition very similar to it:  Abulia.  While this sounds very much like a plant I wanted to buy yesterday at the East Bay … Continue reading →

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FRIENDS AT A DISTANCE

Posted on July 6, 2020 by Alexis

The idea of keeping friends at a distance is unnatural. It feels strange to stand six feet away from a person when having a conversation. Last week I went to a plant nursery to get advice from one of the … Continue reading →

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NAMES AND MEMES

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Alexis

I just learned that my first name, Karen, is a meme.  While I was reading the daily bitch-fest known as “Nextdoor” I saw that someone responded to a neighbor’s complaint with, “Don’t be a Karen.”  Huh???  What is a Karen? … Continue reading →

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HOPE AND HOME

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Alexis

What does home mean and what gives you hope during this pandemic? Here is what some of you wrote to me: In and effort to fill the days I’ve actually found some positives. The yard never looked this good! And, … Continue reading →

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Testing, Testing

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Alexis

It appears that my computer wizard helper has fixed the problem I have been having for weeks with my website. If this test works, regular blogs will resume on Mondays. Fingers crossed.

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QUARANTEAMING!

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Alexis

“Quaranteaming” is my favorite word of the week.  The CNN article where it appeared featured a smiling pair of coworkers who moved in together to avoid isolation during this pandemic.  I have several family members and friends who are living by themselves and … Continue reading →

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