First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Shopping Therapy

Don’t forget to gift you.

Cartoon by Lars Kenseth for The New Yorker

Christmas Essentials

Today, I trekked across town to replenish my supply of baking chocolates. The Callebaut semi-sweet discs are unparalled for chocolate chip cookies.  And the Valrhona cocoa powder is the shining star of the ganache cupcakes I’m planning for Christmas dinner. It’s like being surrounded by reliable, old friends.

What Are You Reading?

Me: Lincoln in the Bardo by the incomparable George Saunders.

Illustration by Serge Bloch

Growth Spurts

I was in an anxious mood over the weekend, and it got me to thinking about two of the lowest times of my life. I’m referring to times so foundation-shaking that while they were occurring,  I wondered if I was going to make it through. By revisiting the darkness, I wasn’t wallowing. In fact, it was the opposite. I was reminding myself that in both cases, my life prospered in tangible ways having lived through them. It’s a technique I learned from a gifted therapist during one of those times, and she called it “the cushion of experience.”

Sign by Olivia Steele

Revving Up

Merry Mirror by Michael Johansson

Vetting Fatigue

I have a close friend who breezed through online dating until he met his life partner that way. The ungainly process never seemed to bother him. I, on the other hand find it excruciating. And the impact was cumulative. That’s why I now prefer hanging out with people (and my dog) who already love me.

Illustration by Adam J Kurtz

Hibernating Weather

I ran into a neighbor as we headed outside to walk our dogs. It’s chilly and raining pretty hard and I was wearing the appropriate gear. My neighbor dressed in a t-shirt and shorts didn’t even have an umbrella. When I asked why, he said, “this is L.A.” Today feels like winter, or at least winter in southern California. And me and Rose are happy staying close to home.

Illustration by Phil McAndrew

Wait For It

It has been a long day.

Illustration by Phil McAndrew

Tis the Season

Last night was the beginning of Hanukkah and I scarfed down my favorite holiday food – potato pancakes (latkes) with sour cream and applesauce. Preparing latkes is such a mess because the oil splatters all over the stove, countertops and floor, but once a year, it’s definitely worth it. What traditional holiday food are you longing for?

Photo by Deepi Ahluwalia