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Sleepless in the San Fernando Valley

By Robin Finn — She’s sweaty. She has to pee. She has teenagers. No wonder she can’t sleep.

When You Lose Someone, it’s Easy to Look for Signs They are Still With You

When You Lose Someone, it’s Easy to Look for Signs They are Still With You

The day my mom’s body was cremated, a glass door at the back of my house suddenly shattered. Did my mom come to visit me?

Jul 9

I Keep Leaving Voicemails on My Mom’s Phone — even though She’s Gone

I Keep Leaving Voicemails on My Mom’s Phone — even though She’s Gone

I listen to her say, “You have reached Vicki.” I know Vicki is unreachable. And yet, I keep calling.

Jul 6

The Strange, Solitary Experience of Sitting Shiva During Covid

The Strange, Solitary Experience of Sitting Shiva During Covid

It’s lonely mourning my mom without a house full of people, Brent’s deli, and brothers.

Jun 29

I Didn’t Plan to Write About Pandemics or Protests or My Mother Dying

I Didn’t Plan to Write About Pandemics or Protests or My Mother Dying

But it’s the truth. As a writer, that’s all I got.

Jun 22

I Cannot Tell if the World is Falling Apart or Falling Together

I Cannot Tell if the World is Falling Apart or Falling Together

Between losing my mom, the coronavirus, and passionate protests taking place around the country, it’s hard for me to know what’s happening.

Jun 14

When Writing Gets Too Painful, Write a Puff Piece About Your Brothers

When Writing Gets Too Painful, Write a Puff Piece About Your Brothers

Superlatives include: smartest, goofiest, and most devoted to family.

Jun 8

Coronavirus Quarantine is Stealing My Mom’s Last Days

Coronavirus Quarantine is Stealing My Mom’s Last Days

For people with loved ones at end of life, what the quarantine has stolen can never be replaced.

Jun 1

Why Writing Together Online is Better Than Not Writing Together at All

Why Writing Together Online is Better Than Not Writing Together at All

The sounds of keyboards clicking and pens peeling across paper make everything seem right with the world.

May 25

How I Became a Runner During Quarantine

How I Became a Runner During Quarantine

After hating to run my entire life, running suddenly feels good.

May 18

On Mother’s Day, I Don’t Want to Write About My Mother

On Mother’s Day, I Don’t Want to Write About My Mother

I ate breakfast, walked the dog, opened gifts, and went for a run so I wouldn’t have to come home and write about my mother.

May 11

Is Zoom FOMO a thing?

Is Zoom FOMO a thing?

I am trying to do nothing and feel good about it. It helps if I believe you are doing nothing, too.

May 4

My Mother Fell Three Times in Three Months

My Mother Fell Three Times in Three Months

Sometimes bad things happen. It’s really hard when they happen to your mom.

Apr 27

This is What Happens When Your Older Brother Starts Reading Your Blog

This is What Happens When Your Older Brother Starts Reading Your Blog

His childhood memories were forever ruined thanks to that piece I wrote about the Shazam sleeping bag

Apr 20

What is the Proper Footwear for a Global Pandemic?

What is the Proper Footwear for a Global Pandemic?

Birkenstocks? Fuzzy socks? High heels? It all depends on your fantasy.

Apr 13

Coronavirus Doesn’t Ring The Doorbell

Coronavirus Doesn’t Ring The Doorbell

We Are Careful. But Even Carefulness Has Holes

Apr 6

Why a Global Pandemic is not a Good Time to give up Your Anxiety Medication

Why a Global Pandemic is not a Good Time to give up Your Anxiety Medication

I was standing at the edge of my sanity, eating a burger from the ten-for-$20 pack I bought at Ralph’s, shoestring fries, also bought at…

Mar 29

This is not about Coronavirus. It’s about Tits.

This is not about Coronavirus. It’s about Tits.

The other day I was looking at a picture of myself and I couldn’t ignore one fact: my tits have grown. I used to be a C cup and then maybe…

Mar 21

Life in Time of Coronavirus (Week One)

Life in Time of Coronavirus (Week One)

Last week, my college-student daughter spent two hours on the phone with the United States Postal Service. She needed to change the…

Mar 16

Things I Have Lost and Found Over the Years

Things I Have Lost and Found Over the Years

I have lost a lot of things over the years but, eventually, I found myself.

Mar 9

Do You Hate Your Mail?

Do You Hate Your Mail?

For some, it’s an evening ritual. For me, it’s torture.

Mar 2

“Not you, too?”

“Not you, too?”

When everyone wants something from you, even the dog

Feb 24

Are You Resisting the Urge to Write?

Are You Resisting the Urge to Write?

Eating quiche and listening to Bruce Springsteen won’t help

Feb 20

Happy 50th Birthday, Bitch

Happy 50th Birthday, Bitch

I am fifty today. I know it’s no big deal but I think to myself, Buckle up, bitch, you just hit fifty.

Feb 3

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