Author Archives: Verla

Yesterday, I got an email from my beloved alma mater, the University of Wisconsin. Subject line: “Hurry, while there’s still time.” I thought to myself, “Well, if there’s still time, why do I have to hurry?” Maybe the better statement … Continue reading →

It is not very likely that you should be who you are. Say you were born at 2:42 p.m. on March 20th, 1958, to a plumber dad and a stay-at-home mom, in Tallahassee. How likely is that? Not very. It … Continue reading →

I wrote this rant for goodreads, but The Professor tells me it should also be a blog post. (She bosses me around. I like it.) If you aren’t familiar with the book, this bookrags synopsis will give you enough context. … Continue reading →

Last night, I had a little cucumber salad. As 50 recedes in the rearview mirror—some days slowly, others with startling speed—I ponder ways to keep my life fresh. Not that I think it’s moldy or boring now. I just know … Continue reading →

*for my great nephew Francis Treadwell, whom we love and remember* When I was growing up, there was an AM radio station in LaCrosse (WI) that played The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi every day in the early evening. … Continue reading →