“Today’s goals: Coffee and kindness. Maybe two coffees, and then kindness.”
– Nanea Hoffman
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Category: Family Stories
Evening Solitude
As a teenager, I cherished the quiet evenings I could retreat to my bedroom and escape the constant noise of daily life and my energetic little brothers. Those were the moments when the house finally settled, and I could find stillness—time to think, imagine, and create.
Although a grand crystal chandelier hung in the center of my room, sparkling when the light struck its prisms, I rarely turned it on. Instead, I reached for the small lamp on my nightstand, a gift from my mother. Its soft amber glow warmed the room and cast gentle shadows across the walls, creating the kind of quiet comfort that invited reflection. In that light, I wrote poetry and songs, or poured my teenage thoughts and secrets into the pages of my journal.
My favorite place to sit was the corner of the room beside the large bay window. I would pull a soft comforter from the daybed along one wall and drag it across the carpet, then grab a pillow from my bed before settling onto the floor. Wrapped in that small cocoon of blankets and lamplight, I could watch the evening slowly unfold outside my window.
From there, I listened as the island eased itself into night. The distant sounds of the neighborhood softened as families finished their dinners and lights flickered on one by one. Pacific thoroughfare—just one street behind ours—gradually slowed from the steady rhythm of passing cars to a gentle hum that often reminded me of a quiet lullaby.
Beyond the rooftops, in the distance, the Mormon temple in the Oakland Hills rose like a glowing castle against the darkening sky. Its soft white lights shimmered in the night, a familiar and comforting sight that never failed to draw my gaze.
Sometimes a cool breeze drifted through the open window, carrying with it the faint scent of salt from the bay. Those gentle breezes would brush softly across my hair and cheeks as I rested my arms along the windowsill, staring out into the darkness and letting my thoughts wander.
More than once, still wrapped in my favorite throw, listening to the quiet rhythm of the night, I drifted off to sleep right there on the floor beneath the window—lulled by the island air, the distant hum of traffic, and the peaceful feeling that, for a little while at least, the whole world had grown still.
In the hush of those island evenings, somewhere between the lamplight and the distant hum of traffic, the girl I was, slowly became the storyteller I would one day be.
Calibas. Oakland Mormon Temple. 28 Nov. 2007. 4770 Lincoln Ave, Oakland, CA 94602.
Relaxing
- Play with my pups
- Sit outside and listen to an audiobook
- Water Aerobics
- Chair Yogs
- Walk the Dogs
- Hot shower
- Massage chair (work) lunch time!
- I am actually thinking about purchasing one. It really helps with my back pain.
A Single Encounter
Daily writing prompt
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
Based on actual events….
For years, she had dodged the well-meaning friends who wanted her to meet some sweet gentleman because they could not bear the thought of her spending the rest of her life alone. After three failed relationships that broke her heart and hurt her pride, she was content to call it quits. Thankfully, she often reminded herself, that she only married one of these men. Over the years, she came to understand that she must have some secret penchant for bad boys since each “good” boy she met had a fondness for blondes and alcohol, and not necessarily in that order.
“Just come over and have drinks and meet him. If you don’t like him, you can always leave,” chided Bobby. The two women had been best friends since they met in sixth grade.
“No, I don’t want to meet anyone. I am through. Besides, I think I need to come with a warning label because I find that I get involved with closet alcoholics, or I drive men to drink which could be a genuine possibility,” Amy replied. “I know you mean well, but if you really love me, you will drop this nonsense. I am happier on my own.”
And for the most part, she meant it. After her separation, Amy felt as if she had risen from the dead. Although she attended college and was earning a teaching degree, she found time to write again. It was exhilarating to write. She loved all of it, even the endless research and the essays that came with it. Since her daughter was older, she started writing for the pure magic of it all too. Through college courses and on the advice of friends and professors, she began submitting her work. She enjoyed seeing her work in print. Her writing made her feel alive again.
And then it happened again, not once but twice. Two more men, who swept her off her feet, made charming promises, offered love and adventure, and then broke her heart into a million pieces. The first was another who loved blondes. The second was another who drowned his sorrows in the bottle. And this time, she knew her romantic life was cursed, and she swore she would remain alone. Many of her friends fussed and fretted about her choice, yet Amy was quite content with this decision. Staying single offered such a wondrous freedom, for she often found that she lost herself in her relationships and stopped doing the things she enjoyed most.
Over the last four years since her previous heartbreak, she started living the life she imagined once again. Teaching kept her busy as well as her little house nestled in a prairie with sweeping mountain vistas that offered spectacular sunsets. In the evenings, the city lights from the east sparkled. Her home was such a welcoming haven, well when she wasn’t battling tumbleweeds and gophers; that is. Still, she found herself happily devouring interior design magazines that showcased warm cottage homes, and she found herself dreaming once more of her little cottage creation. She added two little pups to the mix, and she began writing again too. Life was perfect.
Yep, life was perfect until the day she had her oil changed, and her tires rotated. After handing her keys to the attendant, she made her way into the waiting area. She set her caramel coffee creation on the end table and scanned the reading material. Leavings of yesterday’s paper lay crumpled on one end table. Popular Mechanic, Field and Stream, and Bowhunting were strewn across a coffee table. Across from her sat a man who glanced up and smiled as she looked over the slim pickings of reading material.
“I guess I will have to bring in some Women’s Day and Country Living to help some of the female clients out. Although I know my granddaughter would enjoy the hunting magazine,” she told the man across from her.
He smiled, and the two began talking. They chatted for almost an hour about children and hunting, and their love of the outdoors. And as she watched, he smiled. She noticed his smile reached to eyes and crinkled when he laughed. This man and woman talked nonstop, and they spoke as if they were old friends who just happened to run into each other, just out of the blue. And when the attendant came and told her that her car was ready, the two kept on visiting. Finally, she stood, so that she could pay her bill. He followed her into the reception area and waited across the room. When she looked up, he was watching her. She still didn’t want to leave, but she felt awkward and didn’t know what to do. She waved to him and told him that she enjoyed visiting with him. He nodded and smiled. Slowly, she walked to her car while secretly hoping he would follow her. No such luck, she slipped into her car, and as she pulled out of the parking lot, she noticed that he had stepped up to the window and watched as she drove away.
And here she was, still one week later, thinking about the man she briefly met. The woman who vowed to stay single could not stop thinking about the man with warm brown eyes that made her heart beat faster.
Photo by Chris Lynch on Unsplash
Walking Away
Daily writing prompt
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
One tough decision I made in the past was to walk away from unfavorable relationships. It was not an easy decision, but one that was necessary for my own well-being. Although it was uncomfortable in the beginning, over time, I gained peace of mind as I left the unpleasant connection behind. Through it all, I have gained contentment and stability. Sometimes, no matter how hard a person tries, some relationships cannot be salvaged.
Yoga
One positive change that I have made in my life is incorporating chair yoga into my weekly activities. The stretches and poses have helped ease arthritis pain and the pain of my back injury, and it has helped me become more flexible. Some stretches and poses are so relaxing, that I even sleep better at night! Win Win!
Anne
Daily writing prompt
If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?
If I could be a character from a book or movie, the child within would definitely be Anne of Green Gables. I loved the series of books and the movies. What a character, this Anne!
Plate facing p. 156 of the first edition of Lucy Maud Montgomery‘s Anne of Green Gables
Dogs!
I truly believe that dogs are a man’s best friend, or more precisely, a woman’s best companion. Each furbaby has its own unique personality, and most know how to wiggle its way into the hearts of a loving owner. Every dog that I have ever owned has loved unconditionally and has provided endless amusement and enjoyment. The only drawback is that our pups do not live long enough!
Photo by Hannah Lim on Unsplash
Post Covid
Daily writing prompt
How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?
I am not sure if I have quite adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our world has changed in so many ways. We lost too many people, family, and friends. Unfortunately, people are angrier and more stressed. Our country is divided. Students are struggling academically, for many are behind due to the isolation. Corporate greed is out of control without regard for the well-being of our people. In general, while I try to remain hopeful, I worry about the quality of life people now endure.
Photo by Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash
Laughter 101
- Grandchildren
- My Muttley Crew
- Family
- Friends
- Jokes – usually inappropriate ones – can I blame it on a nervous response?
- Comedies
Photo by Stanisław Skotnicki on Unsplash
Tales of a Family 