Author Archives: robin swetz

Well, my tape dispenser at work is finally empty, so I’m ready to refill it. I was so excited about how many replacement rolls of tape that were in the supply closet. I’ve been requesting a few boxes of small … Continue reading →

A mangled pile of nylon and metal. Alternating blocks of bright purple and white show just how joyful you once were. Now here you are, dead on the side of the road. Abandoned by your owner when you could help … Continue reading →

I recently got a book about Stephen Hawking to learn more about him and his life. And, I did learn more about him. But, in doing so, I was left with more questions about a few other people’s lives. You … Continue reading →

As I wait behind a woman in the long black petticoat, pulled tight at the waist, I cannot help but hear her conversation, or more like her announcement. “I need to be able to squeeze a wedding dress in here … Continue reading →

As I peruse my e-mail, a heavy feeling starts to come over me. I can see an over-arching theme emerging from all the individual messages. E-mails for a reverse mortgage, silver singles, life insurance without a physical, an oxygen system … Continue reading →

I met a woman today who irons her scarves. She was happy she got a new iron recently as well. Wrinkled garments in my home are relegated to a body for wearing on most occasions, and into the dryer for … Continue reading →

At the end of October, I received a mailing from Staples. It was four “rewards”, $5 each , distributed one a week through November. I read the details. No purchase necessary. So, this is like five dollars cash, four times … Continue reading →

I have a clock from my father’s room. I keep it on my kitchen counter. As my 14 year old eats breakfast, the sound of his spoon hitting the cereal bowl and the football game he is watching on his … Continue reading →

He sits with one pencil, three erasers, and a yellow notepad with green lines on it. The notepad remains ready to take in the information, to capture and keep it. But, it is never tasked with this. The notepad remains … Continue reading →

Laughter flows from the dressing room next to me. Lots of laughter. “What?” woman one asks. “It has stripes. That’s not going to work” her friend says. “No. You try it on” woman one replies. “Why? So then I can … Continue reading →