A Staggering Rat of Heartbreaking Something or Other

How I did it: I forgot that heart disease comes in different packages. I forgot it is not always built of smoking, dietary negligence or overweight. Sometimes it just is. There is a day in the near future when I will git up on a bike and start riding, again, not for a mile but on and on, not until I am searching for breath, but until I am exhilarated. For February 1st, Wear Red For Women Day, I put on the red Royal Stewart kilt my grandmother… Read how I did it…

How I did it: Some are born whole, some achieve wholeness and some have mending thrust upon them.As the time for a summertime up-close-and-personal with Dr. David approached, I bought a pair of stompin' Doc Marten boots and envisioned a day in the future that I would wear them, standing tall and strong, unafraid.Dr. Tirone David is known as one of the best - if not  the best - cardiac surgeon in the world. He is nearing retirement and wants o… Read how I did it…

How I did it: I don't do anything 'cept show up. The prosecco flows like the mighty Susquehanna. Tikini has beautiful flower garlands for everyone and a starfish-encrusted hair stick for the birthday grrrrrl.. There are oysters and brownies from the sous chef and me and Mr. Sunshine has miniature pulled pork burritos - oh, wait - that's still to come for the grand finale, when the sun slides finally into Libra. There is lots of revelry, … Read how I did it…

How I did it: The last train for Burritoville leaves at sunset. I asked the last question I will ever ask: Before sunset, will you send me a picture of something unforgettable or beloved? I put on a party dress to wait.She said Here are two things in a picture for you. One is an orchid whose flowers have the scent of lemon and cream. The other is of a plaintive sound that can be heard across two miles.I was not disappointed, but it was time to leave. I… Read how I did it…

How I did it: I yanked that cord fearsomely and the rest fell into place. Jings, I thought. I should have thought of this years ago!Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Read how I did it…

How I did it: "Others will rate my story for usefulness."At the end of the eighth day I thought of the burritos unwrapped and inhaled and squished until the ends bellied out and consumed and loved and thought to m'self: Self - you can live without burritos, but you'd just rather not. I put on some good burrito hunting music and set out for one with chicken, pulled pork and triple guac. No whole wheat, no glass noodles or hummus or edamame. A solid… Read how I did it…

How I did it: Oh, to think of the joys of being around Mollie! Mollie is sweetly fierce and treads with confidence down the path to authenticity, always with her arms open to embrace and encourage her kindred who walk alongside. Mollie is wise and kind and has the most delicious-sounding voice known to humankind. I am honoured to be her grrrrlfriend! I'm glad to bring her birthday wishes of love and adventure and clink glasses when they all come true! Read how I did it…

How I did it: I thought fondly of a pre-Christmas message that arrived whilst wrapping endless presents and baking all manner of Currier and Ives-type novelties for the upcoming days... it was Lisa! Could we meet? Am I a late-night kind of person? Huh, I said to m'self. Are bears Catholic? I arranged to meet the lovely one and we chatted until it was darn near close to sunup.Of course I wanted to celebrate her birthday! I raised a glass on Decembe… Read how I did it…

How I did it: I miss my dear friend's presence. I have been thinking about her all the time. She is wonderful! I sent her butterfly wishes for health and happiness, and hopes for a spectacular year ahead. May her life be full of laughter and cups of tea together with those she loves and those who love her. Happy birthday again, dear dear flutt! Read how I did it…

How I did it: The recurring themes of quasi-romance and semi-spleenitude drew the would-be poet into a trance of late nights and early mornings. Or something or other.  Read how I did it…

How I did it: It was a majorly delightful task to find a Sadielike illustration to send Wren on her special day. (And I could not help but throw in homage to Julia Child.) Wren is brave and kind and special as all get out. It was an honour to salute such a wonderful Virgo! Read how I did it…

How I did it: I do not have a clue how poems write themselves. I think sometimes they must bathe in a spleen-bath before bottling themselves and distilling for a few days. More often than not they bubble up from the core of some small interior planet. They're there waiting for me to poke 'em out. I don't write consistently, but I had breathless hope to do so, with someone once, and it took every fibre of my being to pick up that shattered breath (it fe… Read how I did it…

How I did it: How can I properly honour my dear friend, my kindred? One who is always ready to listen, to offer love and wise words? One who cheers when I cheer, rails with me when I rail, one who without a moment's hesitation says 'yes' to planning a black-clad grrls' adventure in Paris? One who honours my friendship with equal measure and an extra brownie thrown in because she's both giving and so good with things like that? One who shares her gift o… Read how I did it…

How I did it: It was time for a springtime tribute to the great Gershwins... I could not wait for Summertime. I wanted to end the celebration on June 1st with Rhapsody in Blue. There are, I am sure, others out there who nod their heads: a fitting tribute to you, yes!  Read how I did it…

How I did it: I searched for an elegant yet understated message for the delightful Bluepark. I asked m'self 'What better sums up the joie de vivre of Bluepark  than breakfast at Tiffany's with maybe a pink-iced doughnut.... and sprinkles? Mmmmmm sprinkles, Bluepark!'  Happy birthday! Read how I did it…

How I did it: I joined the group post. I wrote the Robots. I whinged. I wrote heartfelt posts. I tried to prevent this friend from what I consider character suicide. Ah, what can I say? I can't imagine this site without him... and I tried to put a plug in what I thought was a massive hole forming in my heart. Read how I did it…

How I did it: Time was of the essence. A poem a day! Each day! Every day! I had originally planned a lyrical exchange of prose poetry, easy peasy, but that idea was scorched to the earth. I tapped into confessional writing instead and day by day a truer voice than anticipated began to emerge from that writing. It was exhilarating, honestly, to find that voice. Read how I did it…

How I did it: I put on my favourite tunes, and did a special improvisational, motivational and debatable dance to stir up the universal good vibrations and nudge Tartsy's platelets into motion. I hope it did some good! Read how I did it…

How I did it: It starts with a carton of organic 35% cream from Whole Foods."Come, butter, come," crooned Rat into the mixing bowl, after pouring in the cream with the tiniest pinch of Maldon salt and setting the speed to high.It took about ten minutes. First, there was whipped cream, and then, miraculously, a separation of good, beautiful sweet butter and buttermilk.The butter was paddled into a tub, and the buttermilk was stirred into the evening's m… Read how I did it…

How I did it: I made a hummingbird cake most excellent. I have yet to post its picture, but I can assure you it was well-fated and could not have met a finer end.It was a party cake. The hosts were expecting something with caramel, so to indulge them, ho-made caramel was the afternoon's main event chez Rat, and the resultant sweet was drizzled over the cake's cream-cheese frosting. Rat does know her way around a cake. The recipe's pretty easy to follow. Read how I did it…