I am writing a longer piece of fiction (sort of non-fiction, too, a little of both) about a time in my childhood that was greatly in flux. It was the 1970s, Los Angeles, those middle school years when the first glimpses of adulthood start to cut through the sheltered innocence of childhood. Everything seems possible… Continue reading First Chapter
Author: ctburbank
Former English teacher. I love my family, writing, traveling, wining and dining, reading and my pets. I'm developing my cooking skills and my ability to blog even though technology intimidates me.
A Love Letter About Love
Valentine's Day is almost here. Without being too sappy, today I thought I would write about what I love. I'm keeping it short and simple. First and foremost, I love the people in my life -- my husband who is my co-pilot on this marriage flight. We learn and grow and laugh and make mistakes… Continue reading A Love Letter About Love
Valley of Enchantment: Ojai
If my loyal readers remember, I chose "Enchantment" to be my focus word of the year. I know it sounds kind of corny, but I want to find and create magical moments whenever and wherever possible. Considering that we have been in the middle of a pandemic and such, it has been challenging to incorporate… Continue reading Valley of Enchantment: Ojai
Book Review: “Wintering” by Katherine May
I feel a bit hypocritical writing a book review about "Wintering" as I am sitting in my backyard on a warm, sunny January day. It's typical for California and the city where I live -- Santa Clarita -- to have above average temperatures this time of year. The Santa Ana winds are stirring the leaves,… Continue reading Book Review: “Wintering” by Katherine May
Time Travel 2021
Have you ever watched a reality TV show and felt inspired? Seldom, perhaps...but recently my husband and I have been binge watching Married at First Sight. If you haven't seen it, couples are arranged by "experts" and married without knowing anything about the other. A blind date that is legally binding. After two months, if… Continue reading Time Travel 2021
New Year, New Word
Cheers! I love champagne and no better time to drink it than on New Year's day...or the day after in my case. Last year I started a new tradition of selecting a specific word to propel the New Year. I got the idea from Tonya Leigh's French Kiss Life blog. She has been using a… Continue reading New Year, New Word
Ode to New York — Part II
In Part I, I wrote about why I wanted to move to New York City...but since you're not getting quizzed on what I wrote, I'll quickly refresh your memory: lonely, shy, bored Los Angeles girl who watched too much TV seeks excitement in the big city. Today I am going to delve into what happened… Continue reading Ode to New York — Part II
Ode to New York — Part 1
"I want to be a part of it, in Old New York!" The iconic theme song from Scorsese's film "New York, New York" -- played at Yankee games and whenever someone is having a Frank Sinatra karaoke party -- pretty much says it all. It is more than just lyrics beckoning us to visit The… Continue reading Ode to New York — Part 1
Could This Be a Butterfly Moment?
We are in unprecedented times with quarantines and news headlines bombarding us with stories of people becoming ill and passing away in huge numbers. I'll admit I've had moments of sheer panic and overwhelming fear...but who hasn't? Bizarre thoughts have taken residence in my mind, such as: Did I cough because I am Covid-19 positive?… Continue reading Could This Be a Butterfly Moment?
The Devil is in the Details
I live in California, and with the quarantine in full effect, the new "normal" consists of spending more time alone than ever. Slowing down to a crawl has given me the opportunity to look closely at the little details of life. The old adage, "Stop and smell the roses," would be quite accurate in this… Continue reading The Devil is in the Details
Cheryl Thatt-Burbank 