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Unrequited
“I know we’d be best friends”, I thought as I finished the epic book, The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl. I imagine that if we were introduced at some dive bar, we would hit it off instantly. I mean, Dave and I, we have a lot in common. He’s witty. I’m…
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I Heart Millennials
My statement was met with disbelief. So, I repeated myself, very slowly. “When I was a kid, no one used olive oil. We used Crisco or Wesson oil.” Both sons just shook their heads sadly. Finally, one son said, “But mom, how did people make dipping sauce for artisan bread? How did they make Aglio e Olio? How did they…
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Pandemic-American Style
Remember when you’d go to work even though you had a little sniffle, maybe a cough, even a scratchy throat? Hell, remember when you went in with a 102 temp after you threw up a little that morning? Nothing a little Tylenol couldn’t fix. Ah, the good ‘ol days! One such occasion stands out clearly…
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Returning to America
My personal ad would read something like: “Middle-aged woman, repatriated Expat, desperately seeking Authentic Thai Green Curry. Looking for homemade curry paste full of fiery hot crushed Birds Eye peppers. Prefer Thai eggplant. No peas or carrots. Fusion Pan Asian Curries need not respond.” During the last few years, I’ve searched the Pacific Northwest for this…
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I won’t miss the traffic
Airplanes are like a vacuum- a moment in between. Walking in out of steaming, sweaty humidity into a blast of orchid scented air conditioning. From gritty street food to perfectly portioned and packaged cuisine. From an energizing life full of twists and turns to a controlled and sterile environment. Time stands still as I anxiously…
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Fear 101
My cousin Dave is one of those people that somehow knows a lot about a lot. Frankly, I’m not sure where he gets most of his information. But, no matter his sources, I’ve yet to be disappointed with his knowledge and advice. The man is a carpenter by trade, but has interests that run the…
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Blackberries
Blackberries don’t grow in Thailand. It’s something I miss about late summer in the Pacific Northwest. My family will tell you about the ritual torture of blackberry picking “excursions” which involved Tupperware containers and long sleeves ending in at least one of us needing to be disentangled from thorny tentacles. The end result? A freezer…
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Butterflies and Bombs
“Hold up!”, Rick yells as we are coasting down a hill into an expanse of green, rimmed by jaw dropping Karst mountains. I quickly brake and turn to see him stopped in the middle of the deserted road, helmet off and looking perplexed. “What’s wrong?”, I holler back. He grins. “Butterfly in my helmet.” We…
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Mama Rides “Street”
Lazy Sunday morning. I glance up from the couch to see Rick walking down our stairs. He looks a little down. “Hey, you o.k.?” I ask. “Naw. I’m grumpy and I’m bored.” he says as he stares at his phone. I ask the next question as I silently brace myself for the answer. “So, what…
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Thailand Two point Oh!
I’m exhausted. Seattle to Bangkok. 7000 miles. About 24 hours of travel. I’ve done this seven times in the last 12 months. Even so, when I hail a taxi home, I’m startled when I open the door and the cabby says, “Madam Teacher?” I look up from my fog of fatigue and see the driver…
Gonzo Girl 