Author Archives: Julie Hooker

If not now, when? 16 April 2022 Day 52 of the assault on Ukraine. Growing up, my momma told me about sitting in the living room, listening to the radio with Nana, Aunt Barbara, and Uncle Lawrence. She and Uncle … Continue reading →

March 1st — I’m not bringing him home. I’m not bringing him home. I’m just going to meet him. Driving to Nuzzles & Co. after seeing the puppy without eyes, I repeated that mantra. In the waiting room, the adoption … Continue reading →

22 January 2022 Years ago, and I mean Y E A R S – Dwight and Margaret were newlyweds so it must’ve been 1950-ish, they moved into a new home. They had each other, two twenty-year-olds; Dwight’s sisters and brother, … Continue reading →

17 January 2022 I’ve been COVID-tining. That means that since Wednesday afternoon when our school nurse caught me with a fever while I was rapid testing for the vid, I’ve been down.  Not down in a good way.  DOWN. That … Continue reading →

I was invited to celebrate Christmas Eve with old friends in my old neighborhood. For years, well, forever, I’ve been guilty of getting into a relationship, putting all of my energy into that, and neglecting the friends that really love … Continue reading →

Kermit the Frog was right, “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green.” For years, I’ve joked, in a not very funny way, that “I didn’t reproduce so I can put whatever I want in the landfill.” The ridiculous amount I consume and … Continue reading →

#1:  I’m a Writer “Let me dance for you.” Remember that scene in A Chorus Line where the premiere dancer begs for the chance to “dance for you” because “I’m a dancer, a dancer dances?” Well, years ago, when Bob … Continue reading →

Rules for Engagement 4 December 2021 Okay, I have to admit that I don’t love Brene Brown. By that, I mean, I don’t love her the way other people love her. During the pandemic, I bought Willie Nelson’s Letters to … Continue reading →

27 November 2021 2021 put all of us on the defensive. Trying to navigate trauma — a pandemic, violence, racism, careers, and, of course, personal letdowns. On January 14th, Bob O’Connor left our world.  When I paid tribute to my … Continue reading →