Liz Flaherty's Blog, page 52

SEEDS OF AGE by Liz Flaherty #WindowOvertheSink

I changed the bottle in my water cooler the other day and reflected a little grumpily that it won't be long before I'll have to start using three-gallon bottles instead of five-gallon ones because the weight and awkwardness are getting hard to handle.

I've been wearing the same necklace ever since the beginning of sheltering in place because neither Duane nor I can consistently manage to fasten or unfasten jewelry clasps.

When we watch Grace and Frankie, I nod my head the whole time--not just beca...

A MOMENT OF PERFECT by Liz Flaherty

I was standing in the middle of my office, with the mess of office stuff on my left and the even bigger mess of sewing stuff on my right. The windows and door were open. The fifth episode of the second season of The West Wing was on television. The orioles were talking outside and our cat, Gabe, was just sitting there. He may have been a little cranky about the orioles, but he’s old and he’s a guy—maybe he was just cranky for general principles. I had coffee in my hand, fresh from the Keurig, sw...

Moving forward... by Liz Flaherty #WindowOvertheSink

I think about retiring from writing. I talk about it. I muse to friends about it and look with no small amount of envy at people who are 20 years younger than I am. Not because I want to be 20 years younger--I like where I am--but because I'd like to keep writing for another 20 years. Not that 20 would be enough.

I had a houseful of kids for 200 years. My house was loud and messy and so full of angst it rolled over the edges of the windowsills and splashed into the flower beds. I was exhausted...

If you can't say something nice... #WindowOvertheSink

I dont really mind the social distancing of these strange days. I dont mind wearing a mask when Im going to be among others. My hair and my nailswell, they dont look very good, and Ill be glad to see Denee and Julie again, but they dont actually bother me, either. I can wait until the end of the getting back to business line because no one I know bases their opinion of me on my hair and nails. Or, if they do, they probably arent people I need in my life. I amsighof a certain age, and caution...

The Sixth Try #WindowOvertheSink

Ive discovered that even when I try to write about something that has nothing to do with the COVID-19 virus, or quarantine, or social distancing, it doesnt work very well. The crisis and all its accouterments are the elephant in every room. So I thought Id just go ahead and wallow in it, write about it, talk about who and what I miss. About worrying. About fear. Ive now started this paragraph five times. Ive spent a lot of time wandering around thinking I should be doing something productive,...

The Sixth Try by Liz Flaherty #WindowOvertheSink

Ive discovered that even when I try to write about something that has nothing to do with the COVID-19 virus, or quarantine, or social distancing, it doesnt work very well. The crisis and all its accouterments are the elephant in every room.So I thought Id just go ahead and wallow in it, write about it, talk about who and what I miss. About worrying. About fear. Ive now started this paragraph five times. Ive spent a lot of time wandering around thinking I should be doing something productive,...

Time to Get Off the Tilt-A-Whirl by Scott Johnson

Photo by Taylor LentzScott Johnson is probably the closest thing to a renaissance man I've ever known. He owns the Black Dog Coffee Shop and Legacy Outfitters in Logansport, Indiana, and is so generous to the arts community that none of us have ever figured out a good way to thank him. He hosts musicians and writers, provides a venue for classes, and--although he's ostensibly retired from teaching--teaches someone something every day. The Black Dog Writers is home to some of the best writing...

...and selfless... by Debby Myers #WindowOvertheSink

My husband and I had an interesting conversation recently. During a discussion on a decision I had made, he asked me if I ever wonder what hes thinking. I thought it was a silly question at first. Of course! I replied.
He said, For example, what do you think that I think about your decision?
I just laughed and told him I didnt really know, except that he wishes he could make it go away. Then he laughed and we both went about our day, but later I did start thinking about it. Not just what he...

Class of 2020 – Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar--

Im listening to the Dave Clark Five. There, in case you didnt know (or care) how old I am, is irrefutable evidence. 

As I listen, and maybe sing along, I remember. I remember going to movies at the Roxy and at the Times in Rochester and the State in Logansport. I saw A Hard Days Night seven timesat least once in each of those theaters. I saw Woodstock at the Roxy, Bonnie and Clyde at the State. I remember Shindig and Hullabaloo and American Bandstand and Where the Action Is...

Back to the Wood by Liz Flaherty #WindowOvertheSink

This is from six years ago, written one day when I was trying to settle my mind in one place, preferably a productive one. It didn't work, but I did figure out that sometimes it's okay to be...oh, look, squirrel. It's been used and re-used, but it's still a favorite. I hope you enjoy it...again. I've wandered much further today than I should and I can't seem to find my way back to the wood - Kenny LogginsI’m not a very attentive person. Well, I’m attentive, just not when and where I should be....