Last year, this was going on. I was living minute-to-minute. Didn’t know if things would improve.

This year, this was my day: Pancakes for breakfast and a cappuccino/milk toast with J and the boys, because it’s a year later and I’m still here. A lazy morning and then a sudden formulation of a plan for the day. An outing to the city for lunch, a movie, a playground.

Back home, I ate dinner quickly and then left again – alone, such a sweet, unfamiliar sensation on a Saturday night – to see a friend who was reading from her new book. A friend who, like me, knows very well how it is to feel lucky to still be here.

I’m glad I’m here. I’m glad you are too.

PLEASE stop coughing on the vinyl.

Dim reminder.

Young A, Clear Blue, W.

Teresa aims to please. 7 A.M. til 10 P.M.

Menopause is HOT.

Desiree Cooper presents her book of flash (short) fiction, Know the Mother, at Bluestockings bookstore on the Lower East Side.