Shana RitterSep 4, 20172 minpoetry on demandSeptember brings a new beginning, the start of a new year, my own birthday near to the high holidays, days when the gates swing open, and...
Shana RitterAug 8, 20172 minLoss and LightTomorrow is my oldest brother’s birthday. It will be the first he is not here to celebrate with us. He died in May, sinking under the...
Shana RitterJul 31, 20171 minBountyThe waft of ripe peaches fills me as soon as I step onto the screened in porch. Yesterday’s haul is piled on the old formica table...
Shana RitterJul 24, 20171 minIt’s all about homeThe winter and spring were awash with travel, small trips and large adventures. This summer is about home. About taking the experiences,...
Shana RitterApr 4, 20171 minTime ChangeI’ve been back home for just about as long as I was gone but time’s measure is distinct even though the length of it is close to the...
Shana RitterMar 17, 20172 minThe view from homeWe have been home for three days, the time feels both longer and shorter. One thing for sure, it doesn’t feel like I was never gone. It’s...
Shana RitterMar 13, 20171 minLast DaysWaking to a beautiful clear day,the coming autumn on the wind from the sea, here in Montevideo, Uruguay. It is our last night, we’ll go...
Shana RitterMar 8, 20171 minAt the end of the worldUshuaia Argentina Tierra de Fuego “final del mundo” This is what the signs and souvenirs say; the end of the world, but what if it is the...
Shana RitterFeb 28, 20171 minWhen you are away…I just learned my good friend died. I am saddened and sorry. The distance of thousands of miles leaves no route to offer any comfort to...
Shana RitterFeb 28, 20172 minTraveling; Los Lagos, ChileOne of the small pleasures of travel is the rainy day that makes you stop. We are holed up in a nice hotel in Puerto Montt for the day....
Shana RitterFeb 23, 20171 minOver the Andes Valparaiso is steep hills and huge port. It feels like a clouded mirror image of San Francisco; grittier and more lively, smaller,...
Shana RitterFeb 20, 20171 minMendoza; food, wine and ….This morning visited a family owned winery with the youngest brother as our very congenial guide. Their vineyards are bordered with olive...
Shana RitterFeb 18, 20171 minThe night beforeGetting ready to leave. Tonight I am moving through the to do list, tomorrow we’ll be driving to the airport, changing planes until by...
Shana RitterOct 18, 20161 minhiatusAs you may have noticed weeks have slipped by since I last wrote my blog. I decided, without at first realizing my decision, to take a...
Shana RitterSep 13, 20161 minHinting towards fallOn Saturday the first falling leaves spiraled down on a light breeze. My grandsons ran across the back yard trying to catch the yellow...
Shana RitterAug 23, 20162 minFarewell SummerThis past week there were days of heat interspersed with rain. Then just the other morning, clear and lovely the cicadas in full chorus,...
Shana RitterAug 9, 20162 minAlzheimer’sFriends kindly ask how my brother is; Alzheimer’s a mean disease I answer. It’s a thief. The conversation often stops there. No one...
Shana RitterJul 6, 20161 minChanging SightsThe twilight lasts for hours, the slow fading light from east to west, the stars hazy at first get clearer, sharper in the dark, the...
Shana RitterJul 6, 20161 minChanging SightsThe twilight lasts for hours, the slow fading light from east to west, the stars hazy at first get clearer, sharper in the dark, the...
Shana RitterJun 30, 20161 minStill Thinking about OrlandoDriving up the road to the Smithville farmers market, I wasn’t paying much attention to NPR morning edition until I heard that people in...