Read previous chapters here. This is the final chapter. Chapter 16 Leda enters the hospital with Diane on her heels. She thinks her daughter is talking to her, trying to calm her, but she does not hear anything. She only sees the reception desk and the long hall beyond the doors that are closed to... Continue Reading →
To read previous chapters, click here. Chapter 15 Leda is proud of her fifteen-year-old grandson Michael. He is the only one who is not squeamish and who does not flinch when helping his grandfather. The others visit with Walt, of course, but when it is time to help wipe drool or give medication, the boys... Continue Reading →
Did you know that many of the "great" male authors were also jerks? I learned this while reading a poignant piece on motherhood and art called "Mother, Writer, Monster, Maid" by Rufi Thorpe. It explores the price of both being an artist and being a mother and how women may or may not be able... Continue Reading →
Read previous chapters here. Chapter 14 Leda drives Walt to the physical therapist several times a week. His mobility seems to have improved, although lately he is less agreeable and more uncontrollable. His body is rejecting its treatment, telling him that he is no longer the master of it. This frustrates Walt, a man who... Continue Reading →
Read previous chapters here. Chapter 12 It has been five months since Walt’s stroke. Christmas time is already approaching. Leda does not know if she should put up their tree, a plastic, pre-lit decoration of convenience she found at Kmart a decade ago. Walt now talks a little and has alluded with a few grunted... Continue Reading →
Read previous chapters here. Chapter 11 Leda is cooking now. She knows Walt cannot eat solid food yet, but she feels better just using her hands to create something instead of watch somebody decline no matter what she does. She is chopping potatoes and loading them into her crockpot, hoping she will have the... Continue Reading →
Read previous chapters here. Chapter 10 Soledad had been taught to pray. Pilar attended Mass each week and made sure all of her children received their first communions in a special way. In time, it became time for Soledad and Maria to take the Lord’s sacrament, so Pilar talked to the nuns, those women Soledad... Continue Reading →
I wrote my dissertation about women's experiences as practitioners of technical and professional writing in the workplace. I graduated earlier this month, but I'm still working on getting the formatting of the final document approved by the graduate school. It turns out that formatting a dissertation is more tedious than writing one! As I've gone... Continue Reading →
Read previous chapters of View from the Pepper Tree here. Chapter 9 Leda wonders how her mother had ever dealt with the difficulties of raising so many children alone. Caring for Walt, his body weak and infant-like, reminds her of caring for a child. He cannot not roll over or sit up. He can... Continue Reading →
Read previous chapters here. Chapter 7 Walt has finally come home. It has been weeks, but he has finally awoken. He is still not the same, not her husband. He talks slowly and incoherently, sometimes being demanding and pushy. Leda reminds herself that he must be frustrated, unable to control his body that has earned... Continue Reading →
The Bookshelf of Emily J. 