Aging

  • Broken Brain

    On February 25th, I had a mild stroke caused by a blockage in the left carotid artery. I experienced memory loss and had difficulty finding words when speaking. I felt confused and didn’t understand what was happening.  That day, I… Continue reading

    Broken Brain
  • Life Expectancy

    It’s official. I’ve got 10.6 years left of this most interesting life. At least, that’s what the U.S. Social Security Administration says. Of course, I’m saying all this while ignoring the fine print, the part about my current health, lifestyle,… Continue reading

    Life Expectancy
  • B l a n k

    Dedicated to all those who suffer from memory loss. Memories holding on Without them I am Blank They keep me Alive Joy Anger Without them I am Blank Memories They keep me from going mad I am nothing without them… Continue reading

    B l a n k
  • 41. A Love Story.

    January 1, 2026, Sumire Gant and Antonio Pedro Ruiz celebrate forty-one years of sharing their lives. The romantic in me searches for words to speak to youfor feelings to feelto share with you January 1, 1985when I crawled down the… Continue reading

    41. A Love Story.
  • Da Bronx: The Nostalgia of Memory

    This past summer, I spent seven days in Da Bronx, where I was born. These are the memories the visit revealed. The little red car I received on my fifth birthday —the first memory my brain will acknowledge. 314 East… Continue reading

    Da Bronx: The Nostalgia of Memory
  • Resolutions

    I’ve made my one resolution for 2026. I will have no resolutions What’s the point? I’m just going to break them in one week or one month or somewhere around May when it begins to get L.A. weather lovely, and… Continue reading

    Resolutions
  • i dent i ty

    The following was inspired by the book The Other Latin@: Writing Against a Singular Identity, edited by Blas Falconer and Lorraine M. Lopez. who am i there are so many names according to themthose people who build the labelswrite the… Continue reading

    i dent i ty
  • 7   7

    December 8, 2025, marks my 77 rotations around the sun. The number 7 7 An angel number, I read it somewhere A powerful sign, I read it somewhere A spiritual awakening And Divine guidance, I read it somewhere I read… Continue reading

    7   7
  • Closed Shut

    I don’t see nothing I don’t want to see I don’t need to think to solve problemsI don’t want to solve I don’t ask questions to receive answers I don’t want to hearIt’s easier this wayThe pain is sometimes too… Continue reading

    Closed Shut
  • When in Doubt, Reboot

    There’s a favorite bit of advice in our household that was first delivered by our son at a young age. He always advised us to reboot whenever we had an issue with our computer, phones, or television. “When in doubt,… Continue reading

    When in Doubt, Reboot