Tag Archives: 1st person
An Ocelot named Derringer
by cheri block My hair stylist Lucy entertained me last week with a tall tale of custodial torment. In between precise snips with her scissors, she lamented her offer to take care of her cousin’s small dog for 10 days. … Continue reading
Bluey, Bluey (48 years later)
by cheri block You will forgive me today, won’t you? Instead of telling stories about literature, education, human foibles and courage, I am throwing confetti (from my shredder) above my head and letting it sprinkle to the floor in a … Continue reading
Michael Chabon’s Secret
by cheri block Terry Gross of NPR interviewed writer Michael Chabon this past spring and in the course of the hour, Chabon made a statement that caused me pause. “The best writers make me feel as if they are writing … Continue reading
The Greeks
by cheri block Long ago when I was a naive girl, I tried out the Greek sorority system. * * * * * “Hello, Cheri. My name is Leslie. Welcome to Kappa Kappa Gamma. That’s a cute dress. How are … Continue reading
Boreas elbows Zephyr
by cheri block At this moment, ferocious northerly winds are upsetting my clay pots. Off the porch the adobe meteors fly in random trajectories, carried to the left and right by errant gusts. Broken shards of red pot and pansy … Continue reading
Butterfly Lovers
by cheri block The sounds of the quail call-calling from under the oaks seemed louder this morning. The abbreviated shrieks of the red-tail hawk returning to her nest secure in our pine tree amplified the woods. Even the rabble-gobble of … Continue reading
Judge LaVender and the Purple Crayon
by cheri block Last fall, Judge Blah did something that shocked me. In San Luis Obispo, after a lunch of chili and chips, accompanied by a glass of zinfandel, he walked into a hemp shop and bought a purple shirt. … Continue reading
Joe’s Amazing Grandfather…
by cheri block Interesting, Baby (not the waitress). Did I ever tell you the story of the time my grandfather Joe from the old country left me three tumulos in his last will and testament? I don’t remember that one, … Continue reading
A Visit to Lake Alcyonian
by cheri block Animal heroes were my heroes back in the days when I was knee-high to a donut. Lassie the collie—who could signal for help in Jeff’s mashed potatoes—evoked in me such deep respect, I would sit in front … Continue reading
Matrix at the Mall
by cheri block Myrtle is the loose woman who eyes rich Tom Buchanan on the commuter train from Long Island to New York City. He oozes money. She, wife of a garage mechanic with grease under his fingernails, sees the … Continue reading
