A man playing a saxsits on a makeshift stoolin Trader Joe’s parking lot, scrounging for his three kidshis sad story splayedon tattered cardboard, his reedy notesa brass confessionsoulful, plaintive, squandered in this shitty parking lotwith the bouquet of urinedrifting in from dark corners. I’m pulled in by the musiclike a rogue wave,and he has noContinue reading “Interlude in Trader Joe’s Parking Lot”
Author Archives: joannejagoda
The Cuervo Gold and Clorox Blues
It’s not a good sign when you’remesmerized by the Westminster dog show.Got to get out of this place.Yes, even a well-planned forayto Safeway will suffice.I know I shouldn’t go, but I can’t relinquishthis last vestige of my old life. Grocery list clutched in my gloved hand,mask in place, fogging my glasses,cart wiped down.I try toContinue reading “The Cuervo Gold and Clorox Blues”
My Calistoga in the Age of Covid
We did not know what to expect. This was our first post-Corona hotel stay and we were apprehensive. We had booked two nights in our favorite go-to place, the Calistoga Spa. Calistoga, a little town, nestled in the Napa Valley holds a huge place in my heart. Calistoga is rich with memories of my youth.Continue reading “My Calistoga in the Age of Covid”
“…we’re not in Kansas anymore”
…we have to accept that life has irrevocably changed…”
Pancakes for Dinner
During the past months of all the tumult brought on by the Covid-19 crisis, I’ve felt a little off kilter. I know I’m not alone in this feeling of discombobulation….(now that’s a three cent word!) It’s just knowing that things are not normal nor will they be for a very long time, if ever. WeContinue reading “Pancakes for Dinner”
Almost Paradise
All the way through my eight chemotherapy sessions I kept a vision in my mind of going to Maui. The thought of ocean waves, warm sun, sandy beaches and drinks with paper umbrellas provided me with a dream to cling to during rough patches. I had no idea that chemotherapy would be so tough. TheContinue reading “Almost Paradise”
Cigar Smoke Memories
Most people loathe the smell of cigar smoke, but for me a whiff transports me to a long forgotten time of my youth. I can picture it. A festive Saturday evening party at my parent’s house with relatives and friends gathered for dinner. Guaranteed this was no pot luck as my mother did all theContinue reading “Cigar Smoke Memories”
Angel on the 620 to Phoenix
Catherine scrunches in the seat avoiding the passengers entering the Greyhound. She makes herself small and inconspicuous praying no one will sit next to her. She absently reaches for her hair to lift it off her shoulders realizing with a start that she had chopped it off—her, blonde, perfectly-highlighted, thick gorgeous hair. All that isContinue reading “Angel on the 620 to Phoenix”
7 Tips for a Successful Grandchildren Sleepover
This article appeared in Grand Magazine, September 2019 Well, you said “yes” and now you have to entertain your grandchildren, ages two and four for a weekend, which can mean up to 72 hours but who’s counting? Whether you are called Grandma, or Abuela, or Nana, or in my case Savta (Hebrew for grandmother) youContinue reading “7 Tips for a Successful Grandchildren Sleepover”
A July Afternoon at the Wharf
It’s a day framed forever in my memory.
I remember envying the tourists,
carefree, riding the cable cars,
delighting in their crab cocktails and sourdough loaves,
Joanne Jagoda 