Who Wears What At The Weddings- Ethiopia- 2026

Who Wears What At The Weddings 

Ethiopia 

2026

BEFORE EVERY WEDDING CEREMONY, THE BRIDE AND GROOM MUST MAKE A CONFESSION. IF THEY ARE VIRGINS, THEY WEAR RED TO THE CEREMONY. IF THEY ARE NOT VIRGINS, THEY MUST CONFESS THIER SINS, REPENT, ASK FORGIVENESS AND WEAR WHITE. AND EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE WEARING WHITE, THEY ARE RESPECTED FOR TELLING THE THRUTH.

 

Holding On To Stuff

 It's funny what you hold on to and what you get rid of. I bought these two antique oars from a man in 2004. I paid $70 for both of them. I've seen them at antique stores going for $275 an oar. And these oars were beaten up. Mine were in mint condition. 

So, when I was downsizing and moving in to an apartment and getting rid of things as fast as I could, I hung on to these oars because they were going to make me money$$$$$. I had given away three kayaks, other oars, flotation devices and several other nautical things, wanting no money for them. I just wanted to be rid of them before the moving truck arrived at my house in a few days.

For the last eight years, these oars have stayed in the corner of my bedroom wall, waiting patiently for me to sell them. But in light of the fact that I made no effort to sell them, they just collected dust, a lot of dust.

Last spring, my friend finished the restoration of her home along a creek and I gave her these oars for free as a house warmer present. And she was thrilled.

Driving Down Gay Street, Approaching My Apartment As the Sun Sets on a Winer Day- 2018

 

The Moment I Saw Him.....

The moment I saw him, I thought for sure that he was going to chomp down on my head with those nasty teeth. I was so afraid, my heart felt as if it was going to explode. And I was on a slight, muddy incline so I was sliding down and trying to hold on to a bamboo branch in an attempt to anchor me. I didn't want to call any attention to me. So I just hyperventilated as quietly as possible.

My plan worked. He didn't attack me. I lived to tell this tale.

 

Favorite TV Shows

Favorite TV Shows

When I was a kid, I watched lots of TV. But, as an adult, I rarely watch TV. I don't have a TV. I've never had a TV. Now, I don't have a tolerance for TV shows and commercials and viewing packages. When I watched the most TV, there were only the three major TV stations. Now, there are so many that there isn''t any worth watching. And I can't stand all of the remotes that have to be used just to get to my station of choice.

But, anyway, here is my meagar list of shows I like"

• The Office- My sister and her family watched this show every week. So I got in the habit of driving 10 miles each way to her house on Thursday nights for three seasons.
• Mash- this show started when I was in high school and it's last season was when I was 25 and had no way to watch the finale. But everyone at work talked about it so much that I feel as if I understood the emotion of the show. Now, I cant bring myself to watch it because it always seemed too sad to me.
• Mary Tyler Moore- i started watching this on Saturday nights in the lounge of my college dorm.
• Bob Newhart Show- this show followed the MTM show.
• Derry Girls- (Irish) I watched the entire three seasons in one weekend on my apple phone. This show was so damn funny.
• To The Manor Born- (British) I used to watch this with my mother in her bedroom when I would be home and spending a few days with her.
• 60 Minutes- I made efforts to watch this show all through the 70's,80's and 90's. But I don't watch it much any more.

The Morning Sun

 The Morning Sun

West Chester, PA

April 2, 2026

I love that moment when I come out of my bedroom and wander in to my living room and the morning sun is radiant. Its warmth envelopes me like a heated blanket.  I rush to make a cup of coffee and head right to my balcony where I sit and let the rays of the sun warm my face and blind my sight.

My Car

 My Car

Honda Civic

It's a 2014 car. It has 155,000 miles on the original engine and it still gets 40+ miles on the highway. I'm thinking of taking a road trip on the Mississippi Road trail from MN to LA (3300 miles/each way). But these gas prices right now are giving me concern. When I planned the trip, gas was $3.27/gallon. Now the price of gas is $4.69/gallon.  Ive put the trip on pause in hopes of gas prices going down. But I am afraid, prices may never go done and I may wait too long and never take the trip.

Home From Ethiopia

Facebook Post

February 19 at 3:44 PM

West Chester, PA, USA

· I Shared with Public

I'm home from Ethiopia with lots of memories and 
a fuller sense of humility. As always, I am grateful 
for the reminder that this world is far bigger and 
more beautiful than my understanding of it.

Walking Their Daughter Down The Aisle- 2025

This was a first for me: two mothers, one bride.  And I was a little nervous. I've known these three for years but I still worried all day about the groom's family. Would they be comfortable with this family dynamic? 

It turned out that his family was gracious and everyone had a great time.

I Stand With Immigrants- No Kings Rally- March 2026

 I STAND WITH IMMIGRANTS

My grandparents were immigrants and I am so grateful that they had to opportunity to come here and start anew. I am filled with gratitude that they took the risk to leave everything for a better life.

Student Comment # 72

 

Student Statement #72

A facebook post

Jeremy K:

May 9th is my moms birthday. Her birthday intersecting with your family reconnects me with my youth. You were an amazing principal and I’m happy our families are connected in some way. Thank you for being a guiding beacon then and now. 

• 
  

Bridget E Kelly

What a great statement.

Beers of Ethiopia- Feb 2026

 

Hanging With My Brother and His Wife

 They have never traveled outside of the USA. And today, they are booking a trip to Ireland for 10 days. The task is unnerving them. So I drove 5 hours to sit at the table across from them and encouraged them repeatedly to push the send button.