I read a news headline tonight about a 29 year-old Southern California Army officer who was killed in Afghanistan as a result of his helicopter crashing. I have no idea how many similar headlines I’ve read in the last 10+ years. I have no idea how…

They say practicing moderation is a good thing. They say less is more. They tell us to know when to say when. Consistently, we go too far. We indulge, we stay up too late, we forget moderation. We swing like a pendulum, one day abstaining from all…

This morning while I was still in bed and not yet fully awake, I had a thought that made me think, “Hm, well…maybe when I’m in my 30s.” I can’t remember what the thought was, but I do remember my shock at momentarily forgetting I’m 35. Maybe I t…

I don’t have decades of knowledge or experiences under my belt yet — only three and a half, to be exact. But there are things that I do know. When I said I’d never eat liver and onions, only half of that statement ultimately came true. I now ador…

As much as I wish I could have another two or three lives to live beyond the one I’ve been given, and as fun as it can be to think about, I don’t believe in reincarnation. That said, I’m pretty sure my cat was an opera singer in his past life. I s…

The telephone lines stretched across the freeway, attached to poles flanking the city streets. The setting sun was behind me and, as I looked up, I could see a flock of pigeons hanging out and watching the cars speed by underneath them. Since thei…

Earlier today I was looking online at real estate listings in Greece. It’s amazing what you can get for your money, and in such an amazing climate, such a beautiful part of the world and with such history everywhere you turn. I started doing some …

I’m exhausted. It’s only Monday. All day long I felt like I had endless energy. I felt focused, I felt like I was crossing things off my list left and right, and I felt good. I arrived home and instantly felt beat. Weary. Defeated. Odd, since my d…

I’ve mentioned before that summer is my least favorite season. I’m sure it sounds ridiculous coming from a California girl, but it’s the truth. August is especially bad, as all the heat that we didn’t get from the June gloom seems to wait to come …

This morning at the hair salon, I took note of the fundraiser box of candy bars in front of me. After cursing its presence, I promptly bought a Twix and felt good about contributing to a junior lifeguard’s efforts to go to New Zealand. I polished …