Catherine Sevenau is a writer, humorist, and storyteller living in Sonoma, California. The stories in this series are excerpts from her book, Through Any Given Door, a Family Memoir. The full memoir is available as a web series at Sevenau.com. A longtime Realtor and Owner/Broker at CENTURY 21 Wine Country, she can be reached at [email protected]
Dharma
“We’ve been brought here for a very short time, against our will, and we don’t know why.” I love that line. What is the point... Continue
Bless this mess
I’m hard-wired for formal prayer. I find myself reciting the Our Father when an earthquake hits, and oftentimes at night as I go... Continue
Why write?
Why write? It’s complicated. I never had any intention of becoming a writer, to externalize my life and expose it on paper. But as... Continue
How did I get here?
In 1943, my father exchanged his iceman’s uniform for a suit and tie. Union Ice Company was having financial difficulties, and Dad... Continue
‘The air was icy both inside and out’
Chapter 69: November 1950 • Sonora Larry’s diary (age 16) Nov 1 New springs for horn. Got up at 3:30. Cop stopped me in Escalon,... Continue
‘Mom at hospital for operation’
Chapter 68: 1950 • Sonora ~ Larry’s diary (age 16) Oct 1 Saw Father of the Bride with Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. Oct... Continue
Mom sick again
Chapter 67: 1950 • Sonora ~ Larry’s diary (age 16) My brother wrote daily about the usual. A few highlights: Sep 3 Cleaned... Continue
A little banjo goes a long way
Chapter 66: Summer 1950 • Sonora ~ The family met Jay Bruce and his wife in the summer of 1950 when their car broke down and was... Continue
Revolving door spun – mom was back
Chapter 65: 1950 • Camp McBride, Strawberry Lake, Pinecrest, California Even though she shunned ruffles and ric-rac, Betty carried... Continue
At 14, Carleen stepped into Mother’s shoes
Chapter 64: 1950 • Sonora, California At fourteen, my sister Carleen stepped into our mother’s shoes when Mom was gone. It... Continue
