behind the mask

I currently own a handful of reusable masks, collected over the months from various crafty friends and worried relatives. While I have become accustomed to incorporating a mask into my everyday life, I cannot shake the feelings of isolation and even alienation when I put one on and step outside. When the mask comes on, […]

In the Words of my Great-Great Grandfather

“I’m lending this to you. Remember, I want it back.” My grandmother hands me a non-descript, navy blue book. The only details on the worn, hard cover are the title, Reminiscences, and the author’s name below it, O.R. Baldwin. An unknown author, no book jacket, not a title that particularly grabs the attention. It’s the […]

Coming Home to Quarantine

More than two years had passed since I had set foot in my parent’s home. I had not walked on the shores of Northern California, my childhood companion, in over two years. I had not eaten a scrumptious burrito from the combo restaurant-gas station in the little town of Pescadero, had not even hugged my […]