Life has gotten in the way of this blog and my writing. A family illness, and then – astonishingly and horribly – two violent deaths this week of people I know. One, the suicide of a much beloved and respected teacher in the Writers’ Program, Les Plesko. Some of you may have taken his classes or read his books. I didn’t know him well, but we’ve said hello at UCLA events for the past twenty years or so, and I’d see him around town a lot on his bike.

The second death was a friend in Encino shot by an intruder as he was reading in bed last night. He was one of my husband’s best friends. A happy jovial sweet family man full of energy and jokes. All day I’ve half expected him to call and say, Well, surprise, I survived!

I’ll try to follow my own advice and take notes. Sometimes life is so random and meaningless that’s all you can do.