You might think I’d be facing the pool, where Evelyn is testing out the still-curled, Styrofoam-like floatie that looks like a magic carpet, and Dave, still travel-drained, sits poolside absorbed in his Kindle. But no, I’m turned towards the West, where the bird feeding and watering station stands. The latest addition is a suet blockContinue reading “How Not to Burn Your Hand on a Hot Conversation”
Category Archives: Writings
The Rhythm Between Things
My Reddit post about the street artist in San Nicholas, Aruba, has reached 4,500 views. One person said they’re traveling there next month and plan to stop by; another asked for her address. I’m genuinely touched by the response. It feels like I’m getting to pay forward the love she showed me—that quiet trust, thatContinue reading “The Rhythm Between Things”
Aruban Magic
It’s layover time. “Somewhere Only We Know” plays over the airport speaker as Dave and I sing along, our Bonefish Grill meal settling in. You should know—we completed our Aruban quest. A self-imposed mission filled with missteps, perseverance, and just enough magic to showcase the beauty of the human spirit. Our adventure led us toContinue reading “Aruban Magic”
From Dread to Drift
I was on death’s doorstep in my dream. It stretched on endlessly—long, agonizing. I had “final talks” with friends and felt tortured by the fear of my body’s painful decline. I took a medication that frightened me, something like chemo—poisonous and healing all at once. With only worse and worser options ahead, I bobbed inContinue reading “From Dread to Drift”
Know When to Fold ‘Em
Wind whipping in the breeze—not all that different from the rustling palm fronds nearby—I take my everything bagel with cream cheese, some undercooked bacon, and half a glass of orange juice outside. The constant mechanical hum of the air conditioner, along with its unnatural chill, pushes me out here. That, and the quiet pull toContinue reading “Know When to Fold ‘Em”
Slow but Sure
Holy Dehydration, Batman!
Dave’s sudden about-face caused the light from his phone to flash directly into my eyes. He took a step toward me and said, “There’s bats in there.” Not knowing how many bats or how big they were sent my inner Tinkerbells doing backflips midair. I retreated just as he had. A moment later, a single,Continue reading “Holy Dehydration, Batman!”
The Fellowship of the Flippers
“Uh oh, when did that happen?” Dave said, sliding open the door to our Airbnb. The orange-and-white cat we’d seen lurking earlier was sprawled luxuriously on its left side, now at home. I had been so worried it would slink away before I grabbed my phone for a picture—but clearly, I had underestimated its commitmentContinue reading “The Fellowship of the Flippers”
No Butts, No Nuts, No Coconuts
If that glazed knot of a crispy delight wasn’t good enough, the fortune cookie manufacturers went and jammed a strip of paper with nice words and lucky numbers inside. This Chinese afterthought came to mind while snorkeling in the turquoise waters of Mangel Halto. Through peek-a-boo places under rocks and coral, I spied orange, sunset-coloredContinue reading “No Butts, No Nuts, No Coconuts”
The Aruba Breeze
Don’t come to Aruba, we’re full — that’s what I read between the lines when Marie, our Airbnb host, drove Dave and me fifteen minutes down Spaans Lagoenweg road to one of her favorite Peruvian restaurants. On the way, she pointed to the left side of the road, where brown, dead mangroves stretched together forContinue reading “The Aruba Breeze”
Going On 40 