Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com Happy New Year! After two years (I know, I know) of not posting anything, I'm back. At least I intend to be back. What have I been doing in the meantime? Well, I've been working on my historical novel. After 18 months and with lots of help and support … Continue reading New Year, New Look, New Focus
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I Wimped Out….But I Won’t Next Time
Photo by Yaroslav Danylchenko on Pexels.com Yesterday I went to get my hair cut and colored. COVID has receded enough to allow hair salons in my county to open again, but with strict restrictions. One client at a time, physical distancing, masks and temperature checks and disinfection protocols between each customer. So, my stylist was … Continue reading I Wimped Out….But I Won’t Next Time
Watching the Neighbors
My neighbor carefully paints the edge of her car’s trunk with white out because the too-small-to-notice scratch interrupts her well-manicured desire for perfection Another neighbor tosses water balloons across the spring lawn to her daughter because the beaches are closed and they yearn to feel the surprise of water splashing on skin My elderly neighbor … Continue reading Watching the Neighbors
My Constitutional Celebration
This morning, for the first time in more than a decade, I had to appear for Superior Court jury duty. The last time I was summoned I got to call a juror hotline the day before to see if I was needed, and I wasn't. This time, there was no call in option--I had to … Continue reading My Constitutional Celebration
“When Home Is the Mouth of a Shark”
Now that the White House has announced its plans to cap the number of refugees allowed to enter the United States at 18,000, the lowest number in almost 40 years, we need to stop and reflect on what causes people to become refugees in the first place. Why do they leave everything behind except what … Continue reading “When Home Is the Mouth of a Shark”
The Perils of Ignoring “Credible”
One year ago today I spent the day watching Dr. Christine Blazey Ford testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Her story of being assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was compelling, sobering, and for those of us sexual assault victims, triggering. Immediately following her testimony, even some Republican Senators said she was "credible." Remember … Continue reading The Perils of Ignoring “Credible”
The Kindest Rejection
Several months ago I submitted a handful of poems for the Rattle Poetry Prize. Rattle is a quarterly poetry journal published by the Rattle Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to "promote the practice of poetry." I was interested in the contest not only because it offers one of the largest prizes for a single … Continue reading The Kindest Rejection
Reflections on 9/11
Eighteen years ago today commercial airplanes were hijacked and flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania. I remember exactly where I was while it was happening and how I ended up spending the rest of that day, which has been seared into into my memory … Continue reading Reflections on 9/11
Where Have You Been, Activist Poet?
Yes, I know. It's been months and months since I posted anything. To be honest, I've been wrestling with several questions about my writing and where it is headed. Originally, I created this blog to provide a space to push out my poetry. Then I started worrying that posting it here might make it less … Continue reading Where Have You Been, Activist Poet?
Blessings
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of my annual "season of reflection." From Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve, I spontaneously start evaluating the past year and planning for the year ahead. I think about what brings me joy, and start letting go of the things that don't so I have more time for the things that do. … Continue reading Blessings
Cathy Standiford 