Category Archives: Neighborhood

Nineteen Years

I was five months pregnant and in bed that morning nineteen years ago, thinking about getting up to pack to begin a 12-hour drive to a conference in Indianapolis that day. The phone rang, and my mother urged, “Turn on the TV!” We watched together while the second plane crashed into the World Trade CenterContinue reading “Nineteen Years”

Learning Curve

Alexandria has announced that the city schools will be all-virtual when school begins next month. It was the last of the local school districts to make that announcement. So the school year, at least to start with, will take place online. I have mixed feelings. Last spring was disastrous for my son trying to completeContinue reading “Learning Curve”

Photo Friday: Great Blue Heron

We’re still mostly stuck at home these days, waiting for the pandemic to run its course. We do try to take a walk outside each day. Tuesday was an odd day. A major tropical storm came through the area in the morning, with a ton of rain. And then, early in the afternoon, the rainContinue reading “Photo Friday: Great Blue Heron”

Kittens (and Chipmunks) with Typewriters

My writers’ group, Kittens with Typewriters, has always met in coffee shops, which hasn’t been possible since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We’ve tried online meetings, but they aren’t very satisfying, since our meetings mostly consist of people writing on their own projects, with occasional conversation in between. Recently we’ve begun holding outdoor meetings. Until today,Continue reading “Kittens (and Chipmunks) with Typewriters”

Photo Friday: The Force Runs Strong in Our Family

Monday was Star Wars Day (May the Fourth Be With You). In response to a request in an online group, I dug out this photo of my husband, son, and me in costume for the Del Ray Halloween Parade in 2011. So I’ve decided to re-post it here. Nine years ago, we still lived inContinue reading “Photo Friday: The Force Runs Strong in Our Family”

Neighborhood Controversy

I had an unpleasant conversation on a neighborhood listserve recently, and I can’t seem to let it go. Someone posted that there was a petition for keeping the local farmer’s markets open during the pandemic. The state has classified them in the same category as restaurants, which are closed, rather than grocery stores, which areContinue reading “Neighborhood Controversy”

Update From the Land of Social Distancing

It’s the end of the first week of The End of Life as We Know It, as we all try to adjust to our new, Coronavirus-induced reality. Everything is weird and tense and depressing, but you already know that. Virginia does not yet have a statewide order to close businesses, but many have closed anyway;Continue reading “Update From the Land of Social Distancing”