By Nellie Curtiss … At my cousin Edna’s 80 acres, my aunt, my black cocker spaniel, and I loaded into my red 1989 Dodge Raider—a gift to myself the year I graduated with my master’s—for a Sunday ride in 2001. Just outside of Manassa, passed the waterless bridges of steel, Aunt Leona measured the hillContinue reading “That Sunday drive with Aunt Nono”
Category Archives: Kindness
Cats offer heartfelt acts and random purrs
By Nellie Curtiss … February is Black History Month; and it is American Heart Month, too. Of course, we all know February for Valentine and President’s Day. The edgy TV commercials keep us informed of those events. Plus, pre-Superbowl ads keep us planted indoors in anticipation of the game. But for me, February is aContinue reading “Cats offer heartfelt acts and random purrs”
Is it slothfulness or fibromyalgia?
By Nellie Curtiss … Sometimes the hair follicles “Eek!” with soreness and running fingers through hair fires pain from scalp to hair tip. Showering is like standing naked while fine sand or BB pellets spray. Pulling socks up from ankles pitches muscle aches into the mix, too. Dressing is grueling as every metal harbinger thatContinue reading “Is it slothfulness or fibromyalgia?”
“We are here to take care of you”
By Nellie Curtiss … As the anesthetist Eric wheeled me through the secret passage of operating rooms and over to Radiology’s high powered magnet room, I thought, I am thankful for good care. Just minutes earlier, Colleen, the outpatient surgery RN, asked me sundry questions about my medicines and allergies. She double checked the recordsContinue reading ““We are here to take care of you””
Childhood resolutions resound in 2023
By Nellie Curtiss … There’s a bracelet created by Steel by Design named “Mama Says.” It includes encouragements, resolutions, if you will, from most every mom on the planet like: eat your vegetables, brush your teeth, and say your prayers. Comedians, Facebook sages, and Star Trek fans have 2023 resolutions. Here are some floating resolutionsContinue reading “Childhood resolutions resound in 2023”
Did you shop ‘til you dropped?
By Nellie Curtiss … Did you shop until you dropped yesterday? Some of CBS News was dedicated to play-by-play deals with big box store shopping straits. I prefer hearing what the weather has going on as I tune to weather segments with flashy show-and-tell media. We’ve had serious cold snaps here in the Valley andContinue reading “Did you shop ‘til you dropped?”
Being thankful never falls out of season
By Nellie Curtiss … Whenever anyone goes shopping now at Walmart or any of the BIG BOX stores, the shelves are already refereeing between Halloween gear, retail Thanksgiving and in the wings, retail Christmas. On Facebook, some posts are about the nonsense of all the early marketing of October, November and December holidays. The post’sContinue reading “Being thankful never falls out of season“
If feelings are too much, one conversation can change a life.
By Nellie Curtiss … Have you ever wanted to just die? Did you ever want to stop feeling down inside, or know someone who is hurting, too? I spent most of my young adult years in a deep depressive fog. Back before selfies, teens took Kodak moments—the subjects were themselves and backdrops for their personalContinue reading “If feelings are too much, one conversation can change a life.“
Comfort food: Peanut Butter, Bologna, Vienna Sausage, Broccoli, and Popcorn
by Nellie Curtiss … Schroeder wouldn’t leave his long-haired ear alone and his head shaking got worse. I cleaned out some gunk from his cocker spaniel ear and it seemed better for few minutes. When Dr. Deal saw him a few days later, he found swollen tonsils. He sent Schroeder home with an antibiotic andContinue reading “Comfort food: Peanut Butter, Bologna, Vienna Sausage, Broccoli, and Popcorn“
ROOMBA on a mission at 230 in the afternoon
by Nellie Curtiss … It was 2:30 in the afternoon when the gunmetal colored ROOMBA left its station and embarked on its mission. There were no notes left behind; no clues as to it’s trek that day. The twin teens were not yet home from Grant Middle School where they ran for the track team.Continue reading “ROOMBA on a mission at 230 in the afternoon“
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