Author Archives: Bill D.

About Bill D.

Bill is a retired RN who has enjoyed working as a docent in a well-known historic house museum, and now is a proud volunteer in San Diego's newest state-of-the-art hospital, Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center. He enjoys reading, writing, and meditating, especially about mindfulness as discussed by Zen master, spiritual leader, and author Thich Nhat Hanh. (Photo credit: Jokie Tolentino)

2020 – Things ain’t what they used to be

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Bill D.

I enjoyed driving and listening to Ehrling* as the RAV4 flew through the light freeway traffic before the sun rose that early January morning of a new year and a new decade on my way to the hospital where I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on 2020 – Things ain’t what they used to be

Hanging in there – 2019

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Bill D.

In 2019 our kitten Moony became a cat and continued to inspire us with his theme of “Hanging in there” in the face of challenges. He explores by intently smelling everything, and seems to know that he owns the house, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A kitten stole our house and hearts

Posted on December 30, 2018 by Bill D.

After 10 years of focusing on our Airstream trailer and camping, we sold the trailer and turned our attention to renewing our 1952 wood shingle and stucco house in need of repair and repainting. In preparation for the arrival of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cat, Corgi, Food, House | Comments Off on A kitten stole our house and hearts

Holiday Cactus Greetings

Posted on December 22, 2018 by Bill D.

This Night Blooming Cereus bloom reminds us that even in the midst of thorny situations, beauty arises and inspires us to persevere and thrive in spite of obstacles. This Night Blooming Cereus, Peniocereus greggii, is from a cutting given to … Continue reading →

Posted in Deserts, Flowers | Comments Off on Holiday Cactus Greetings

Something is rotten in the state of… the Starfish Cactus

Posted on July 14, 2018 by Bill D.

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” Officer Marcellus says to sentry Horatio as Hamlet determinedly seeks to follow his father’s ghost and hear his words.  [The Tragedy of Hamlet – Prince of Denmark (1.4.90)… also see this scene … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Gardens, Larry, Politics | 3 Comments

Finding beauty in a dark world with a Golden Torch

Posted on July 8, 2018 by Bill D.

Sometimes our country and the world seem to be sinking into a dark place where evil and hatred are triumphing over goodness and love, resulting in a pervading sense of hopelessness and depression. But sometimes all it takes for us … Continue reading →

Posted in Flowers, Politics | 3 Comments

Families belong together 2

Posted on July 1, 2018 by Bill D.

Instead of going to the beach or having a summer picnic on the last Saturday of June, we joined people in San Diego (that was part of Mexico from 1821 to 1848, and Spain before that, and Kumeyaay – Native … Continue reading →

Posted in Larry, Politics, San Diego, Tourist destinations | Comments Off on Families belong together 2

Families belong together

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Bill D.

5000+ people took part yesterday (June 23) in downtown San Diego’s rally and march with the theme Families Belong Together,* which kicked off a week of protests that will culminate in nationwide protests on Saturday, June 30th, in support of … Continue reading →

Posted in Larry, Politics, San Diego | 2 Comments

They’re working me to life!

Posted on June 3, 2018 by Bill D.

When I arrive, the surgery waiting room already has a sprinkling of families and friends anxiously waiting to visit their loved ones who have been escorted by nurses to the Pre-Op room beginning at 6 am.  By 7 am, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Corgi, Flowers, Gardens, Health, Larry, Meditations, Mindfulness | 2 Comments

Ode to joy in thriving, driving and dying

Posted on May 13, 2018 by Bill D.

The joy of seeing the sun rise as I arrive for my volunteer work at San Diego Medical Center reminds me of the wonderful sunrises we experienced while camping with our Airstream travel trailer for the past 10 years in … Continue reading →

Posted in Deserts, Flowers, Gardens, RAV4 Hybrid, San Diego, Uncategorized | 2 Comments