Month: December 2021
Christmas Chaos
by Lisa Jo
I marched straight to the shower after waking to let the warm water wash away the awful bits of my trip that were still clinging to me. We drove over 700 miles with gifts in tow. Somewhere in Ohio, my mother called, confused about the time of our arrival. I reminded her of our agreed-upon plans, but Ms. Chaos had other ideas. We were … Read More Christmas Chaos
The Light of Day
by Lisa Jo
The tree is barren and droopy. The presents are gone, and it looks like an over-decorated drag queen who just got mugged. With a crooked wig and bright red lips, it stands there, broken stiletto in hand, just wanting to slink home and get into some comfy clothes. Christmas Day, in all its glory. Morning light dims the magic of Christmas Eve. The used … Read More The Light of Day
Afternoon Delight
by Lisa Jo
I sat in the back of the shop in a large chair with a rolling massager that pressed hard into my back and shoulder blades. I tucked my phone away and slipped my feet into the warm, bubbly spa, closed my eyes, and escaped the Christmas crazies for a little while. Any day in December that starts with twenty-something is deserving of such a … Read More Afternoon Delight
Walk this Way
by Lisa Jo
I’m in physical therapy for the second time around to address an issue with my left achilles, which popped up after a few years of long-distance running. I’m not blaming it on the running – I just note the timing. The last time it became unbearable was when I went to stay with my mother after her hospitalization in 2019. I limped past the … Read More Walk this Way
Lovin’ from the Oven
by Lisa Jo
I spent the day in the kitchen with my first-born, measuring, sifting, mixing, and circulating the sheet pans in and out of the hot oven for about 6 hours. It felt like a dream, seeing her perched on the counter stool, sharing her life with me as we munched ourselves into a sugar coma. Happy is an understatement. I remember when I was in … Read More Lovin’ from the Oven
Christmas Closets
by Lisa Jo
I dragged everything out of the garage that I painstakingly packed away last year for easy retrieval this year. I don’t think I’ll ever get it all back in those boxes when it’s over. I’m preparing the motherly holiday homecoming experience, to the best of my ability. The bedrooms have miniature Christmas trees, fresh linens, and all the comforts I could find. What do … Read More Christmas Closets
Chapter 2
by Lisa Jo
Last night I lay in bed, and my thoughts bumped into my old blog on a dreamland street. Barely recognizable, the stories of my past have been sitting there, like forgotten books on a dusty shelf, for years now. For dozens of months I’ve had nothing to say – no urge from within to spill my guts on an electronic page – but there … Read More Chapter 2
Unwritten 