Sue Fagalde Lick's Blog, page 2

Reach Out to an Elder Orphan This Holiday Season

Have you heard the term “elder orphans”? I am one. No husband, no children, no family nearby, living alone. Some elder orphans literally have no family, while others live far away or are estranged. Either way, they’re alone. We are many. Don’t go feeling sorry for me. I do that well enough on my own. … Continue reading "Reach Out to an Elder Orphan This Holiday Season"

No Phone??? Let Me Talk to the Manager

It was getting dark. I was alone in an unfamiliar section of Portland overlooking the Willamette River. This was the only restaurant within walking distance of my hotel. I skirted the barefoot young man in rags talking to himself and walked into this Asian fusion place, looking forward to a good meal after a long … Continue reading "No Phone??? Let Me Talk to the Manager"

Is Your ‘Good China’ Gathering Dust?

Let’s talk about china. Not the country, the dishes. In my effort to clean up my house, I have come to the “good china.” It’s dusty. I rarely have company. Since my husband died, I don’t throw dinner parties. My home is not the hub that my parents’ house was, with everyone gathering there for … Continue reading "Is Your ‘Good China’ Gathering Dust?"

When in Doubt, the Couch Ate It

It was the last straw. In a month filled with so much grief and so many challenges, now I had lost the remote control for the TV. I had no idea what happened to it. I just had it. I was pretty sure I was losing my mind. Considering the events of the past month, … Continue reading "When in Doubt, the Couch Ate It"

Solo Getaway in Oregon and Washington–Don’t Forget the Chargers!

Sometimes a girl just has to get in her car and drive away. Let the winds carry her where they will. Follow her whims. Be free. Stuff a backpack, grab the keys and go. Who am I kidding? I make myself crazy planning for months before I go anywhere. I clean the house lest the … Continue reading "Solo Getaway in Oregon and Washington–Don’t Forget the Chargers!"

Book cover shoot confuses the dog

Annie watched me, confused. Why was I setting up a card table on the deck and covering it with a tablecloth? Why was I carrying out dishes, silverware, cloth napkins, and a candle? And hey, why was I putting her bowl on that table, where she couldn’t even reach it? I was doing a “photo … Continue reading "Book cover shoot confuses the dog"

Fire Transforms Paradise into Hell

My mind is filled with fire today. Actual fire. Wildfire. I just finished reading Fire in Paradise: An American Tragedy, which is about the blaze that destroyed the town of Paradise, California in 2018. Authors Alistair Gee and Dani Anguiano have done an amazing job of weaving together research and interviews to take us right … Continue reading "Fire Transforms Paradise into Hell"

New Book Announcement and More

It’s happening! I can finally announce that No Way Out of This, my memoir about the Alzheimer’s journey with my late husband Fred, will be published in June 2024 by She Writes Press. It recounts the gnarly parts of Alzheimer’s, including caregiving, nursing homes and the day-by-day losses, but the reader will also enjoy a good … Continue reading "New Book Announcement and More"

Looking Back for a Novel Set in 2020

Remember 2020? Sure, COVID. But there was more. I have been rereading my journals from that year. I think we have forgotten what an insane time it was. Trump was being impeached. I was glued to the radio. The presidential campaign was in full swing, Bernie vs. Joe vs. Elizabeth against Trump and a bunch … Continue reading "Looking Back for a Novel Set in 2020"

Old Sheet Music Brings Back Memories

Once upon a time there was little girl who was enchanted by the piano. She ran out and danced around when she heard her mother playing. She wanted to do that, too. Her grandpa would sit down without a lick of sheet music and thump out old songs with an oom-pah beat. She wanted to … Continue reading "Old Sheet Music Brings Back Memories"