I was craving a grapefruit. Maybe it was the warm, nearly-summer-like weather. Maybe it was noticing citrus blossoms were beginning to appear on the fruit trees in our backyard. But whatever it was, I decided I would treat myself to a delicious grapefruit on this Saturday afternoon....
There’s a sweet children’s book about a little girl named Sara whose teacher has chosen her to create the most important painting for the class art show. Sara agonizes over what to paint and decides that if it needs to be the most wonderful painting,...
“Way too spicy!” Emma said as she put her spoon down and pushed her bowl away. She reached for her glass and gulped down water. I had followed the recipe for the soup precisely, stirring in the exact, leveled amount of chili flakes along with the...
On one of the busiest streets in Phoenix, squished between two sprawling office complexes, is a little blue house. I pass it twice a day when taking the girls to school and picking them up. It stands out — a home nestled snugly on a street...
Last Saturday, taking full advantage of the beautiful weather in Phoenix, we decided to go on a family hike. We chose one called Tom’s Thumb, named for the unique rock formation that sticks up like a thumb from the top of the mountain range. It’s quite...
If I were to rate my grocery shopping checkout experience, I’d give the highest marks for efficiency. I appreciate when everyone involved is laser-focused on the task. I do my part by having my items lined up on the conveyor belt and being ready to...
A single, giant raindrop landed in the center of my car’s windshield. Splat. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue. The sun was shining. A single, puffy white cloud hovered effortlessly in the sky. Not one dark storm cloud was in sight. The raindrop appearing out of...
We were browsing in one of those fancy marketplace cafes where coffee and pastries are served in a space full of candles, cards, sweets and gifts. On a low shelf, shoved behind marked-down seasonal items, was a stuffed toy llama. The llama had seen better days. Its fur...
I was walking toward gate A19 at the airport, following other travelers walking at a clipped pace. Most were holding their phones, talking or typing, pulling their luggage with their other hand. There was the busy hum of conversation, interrupted by crackling announcements of delays and...
I’m at the coffee shop, waiting for my order next to the pickup counter.There is a sign posted with bold, black letters: “Take What you Need.” On the tear-off tabs below — where phone numbers would be if it were a sign for a lost...