Stand-up comedian, Jen Kirkman, quipped when describing her wedding day which she said is supposed to be the best party of your life, "There's no party that begins with church." And there is no sabbatical that begins with filing taxes and writing a check to the Internal Revenue Service but that is where I am today. In … Continue reading Artists in Week One
Pre Sabbatical
I’m still trying to figure out how to write a blog post that doesn’t involve 3,000 words or 30 hours. I’ve decided to post weekly from now on even though I know that what I write in Week 1 might not be true by Week 4. Like, how my sabbatical landing spot will probably begin … Continue reading Pre Sabbatical
Everything Happens for a Reason
Two nights ago, I finished a three-week painting class in Austin. Actually, I'm not sure my work can be considered painting as much as wild stroking of a brush. Will you keep painting, our instructor asked each night as she walked back and forth in front of our easels, the ones we stood behind as we … Continue reading Everything Happens for a Reason
Living in the Now
I said something to Allan almost a year before he was ever diagnosed that haunts me not because I wished I wouldn't have said it but because I wished I would have acted on it more. I repeated it to my mother in her last month’s visit with me. I’m sharing it today because I want you … Continue reading Living in the Now
Sixteen
“Guess whose birthday it is tomorrow,” I ask as I push the washcloth in a circular motion inside her ear. “Whose?” “Yours!” I say as she tilts her head to the side to look at me. She glances down before she asks, “How old?” “How old would you like to be?” A smirk forms on her … Continue reading Sixteen
Thrive or Survive
Rains falls down in Austin today, allowing me to continue my dedicated procrastination towards the obvious weed pulling and mulch spreading needed in the front lawn. Every day I am reminded of all the outside work my husband did when he was still alive; and, every day that it rains is a chance for me to … Continue reading Thrive or Survive
Hook vs Pest Control
Four months after Hook and I married and I’d moved out of my spacious, comfy, pest-free home and into his eclectic, south Austin insect-friendly house, I cheated on him. My betrayal was not of a sexual nature but it was a broken vow nonetheless or at least that is what Allan would have had me … Continue reading Hook vs Pest Control
Hook Plaid Shirt Story
In defense of myself, I never expected the absence of the plaid shirts would mean so much. I figured that by the time I’d gotten around to fessing up to Allan -- 20 or 30 years later -- how and when they disappeared in 2011 that so much time would have passed that he would … Continue reading Hook Plaid Shirt Story
Live Forever
Today I will spread the last of Hook’s ashes. In the movies when a person does this, it's made to seem as though ashes are but a cup full maybe two. The reality is that a human body cremated produces more than four liters of ashes. I only know this because I dropped off four, one … Continue reading Live Forever
From the Outback to the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney
By the time most of you read this, I’ll be on the last leg of my 30-day Australia trip, back over the Pacific Ocean and on my way home to Austin. Overseas when people asked what country I was from, I always replied, “Texas!” There are three U.S. states that everyone in the world recognizes … Continue reading From the Outback to the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney
In the Land of Oz
Five days ago, I arrived Brisbane’s international airport with Hook’s ashes and managed to avert a personal customs check of my baggage. Before I left Austin, I purchased one of those face powder makeup containers and emptied it, then filled it up with my dead husband inside. I was fully prepared to dip the mini … Continue reading In the Land of Oz
A Pilgrimage of Milestones
In two weeks, I'll be on a plane to Australia. Someone said that I was taking a pilgrimage but I've realized that this entire year has been nothing but a pilgrimage of milestones. The first birthdays, the first holidays, the first trip back to the Texas coast, our anniversary in June which by the way is not … Continue reading A Pilgrimage of Milestones
The Hook Challenge
2016 UPDATE of donation link: Click here: http://ow.ly/EhIv303HtRr - and please be sure to indicate HOOK ENDOWMENT UPDATE 6/26/2014, 10:03amCST When the St. Edward's folks said, We're going to do a 48-hour Hook Challenge to see if we can get another 145 donations, well I thought that was a great goal and I was completely unsure … Continue reading The Hook Challenge
Ruddy Turnstones
I’m back on the Texas coast again for reasons I’m not sure I completely understand. I thought my January visit was the last one for 2014, but then I thought the November trip was my last one forever. Two weeks ago, I had another crystal clear dream, and I took that as a sign that … Continue reading Ruddy Turnstones
All Things Must Pass
Even though I haven’t posted a blog since December, I have been writing like a mad woman. Today I write from a condo on the Texas coast in Port Aransas having arrived Sunday night. The plan is to spend the rest of this week focused on cranking out the … Continue reading All Things Must Pass
When the Epilogue Comes First
Sometimes we have to finish writing the ending of one story before we can begin writing the beginning of a new one. A year ago today, I was at the hospital to pick up Hook after a three-week, post surgery stay. Absolutely nothing since that time has turned out the way I'd expected, and mostly … Continue reading When the Epilogue Comes First
Hook Stories: Wasps and Things
Bill Quinn, also known as "Willie Joe" as a youngster, was a long-standing colleague of Hook's. Bill was part of the hiring committee that brought Allan to St. Edward's University more than 25 years ago. I'm not sure if Willie Joe realizes it but he and Jimmy Mills (and the St. Ed's indoor swimming pool) … Continue reading Hook Stories: Wasps and Things
Hook Story: A Timeless Bromance
Bromance was alive and well in the friendship between Hook and his Canadian friend, Kelly Scott. Whenever Kelly would blow into town, the exchange between these two men was always the same: Hook: "Dr. Scott." Kelly: "Dr. Hook." Hook: "Meow." I often wondered if Kelly's visits would have been complete if he hadn't heard Hook's … Continue reading Hook Story: A Timeless Bromance
Hook Stories: Growing Up in New Jersey
A friend came into town unexpectedly and as old friends will do, we sat up talking and catching up until 3 o'clock in the morning which meant that I fell behind in my blog posting. But, this did help me to choose from the Hook Stories ... a series of short snippets from one … Continue reading Hook Stories: Growing Up in New Jersey
Hook Story: Dr. Hook is Ruining My Life
Last night, I hosted a mini Hookabration, a celebration of Hook's life, for the entomologists who are in Austin for the annual ESA conference. Five different hymenopterists shared heartfelt stories of their relationship with Hook -- how he influenced their lives, what he meant to them as a friend and colleague -- with 30 other … Continue reading Hook Story: Dr. Hook is Ruining My Life
