Blogging Through the Seasons

In the shadow of the Great Depression, when the world outside was filled with uncertainty and hardship, my twin brother and I found joy in the simple things. Living in a dusty tent on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon, we shared laughter and dreams, tethered together...

My mom had gone to the American Embassy multiple times before and had been denied a visa, but this time was different. The situation carried an intensity that went far beyond a simple visa acceptance. This wasn’t about touring the country. It wasn’t about visiting...

My father was the jelly/jam maker in my family. During the fall in southern Mississippi, the wild and domesticated fruit trees and vines provided my father with an assortment of fruits to choose from as he created the jams or jellies I looked forward to as a child. As...

It was nearing 9 p.m., the end of visiting hours in the coronary ICU. Beverly lay there recovering from a “widowmaker” heart attack the night before. Soon I would have to leave. Our last few moments for the night needed to be comforting, hopeful. They needed meaning...

For many Filipino families, the holiday season kicks off not with the sparkle of parol lanterns or the first notes of Christmas tunes. It begins right in the kitchen. Picture a bunch of lumpia wrappers next to bowls filled with tasty ingredients, as family members...

When I think of the holiday season, I think of cookie day. There are pictures of me in diapers, sitting on the counter, decorating Christmas cookies. I don’t know the Christmas season without cookie day. When I was little, cookie day meant opening a store-bought roll...