The Obligatory (but not Mandatory) Page About Me
Welcome to Constant Commoner. If you’re wondering why I chose that title, it’s because that’s what I am. I’m a blue-collar woman who until a few months ago lived in a small but adorable cottage that kept crying out for repairs I couldn’t afford. I lived on an island floating at the edge of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, accessible only by boat or car ferry or plane; a place where northern lights are said to appear often, but I only saw them two or three times in the 28 years we lived here so I can’t thrill you with amazing pictures of the Aurora Borealis.
I’m a widow now, nothing I ever asked for, and I’ve written about that experience, along with the experiences that go along with such a radical and complete life-change. I’ve found some things to laugh about, always looking for the elusive joy I know is out there if only I go looking. And some to cry about.
And some to whine about.
I live in an apartment now, and at 86 I’ve decided to make it whimsical and girly, and why not, since it’s my little hidey-hole and nobody else gets to change a thing.
Or to change me.
(My apartment is called ‘Unit T’. So of course this is on my front door:)
(Could somebody remind me on September 17 to change my age above to 87? If all goes as planned, I should get there. Here’s hoping!)
Everything you find here will have been filtered through the eyes and ears and mind of an ordinary observer. I have no discernable wealth or talent or experiences that might blast you out of your seat. I finally have a passport but I’ve never used it. I don’t have a single college degree. I don’t know famous people.
But I’m pretty good at witnessing and chronicling. Before we moved to the boonies, I had a long career as a citified freelance feature writer and columnist for newspapers and magazines. I’ve written essays and short stories, and I kept a political blog called Ramona’s Voices for 12 years, from the day of Barack Obama’s first inauguration to Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021, when I retired it and archived it here.
Now I’m exclusively at Substack.
I’ve been a practicing writer for so long it seems I don’t know how to do anything else. I love that so many of you have subscribed to my newsletter. It tells me you’re not just passing by. You’ve given me permission to send my latest pieces to your inbox, and that thrills and humbles me.
Here at Constant Commoner I write about living up north and in the Midwest from the point of view of a Midwestern up-norther. I write plain.
I write about aging because I’m way past just ‘getting old’. I’m old.
I write about widowhood because my husband, Ed, died two years ago and I’m still trying to process the realities of my life without him.
I write about the fears and dangers and triumphs of the country I love and I write it from an unabashed liberal point of view. (Just so there are no surprises.)
Sometimes I write just for the heck of it.
I write to make you think, to feel, to laugh, but I’m doing it for myself, too. I get a kick out of some of this stuff and the truth is, I’d probably be writing it with or without you.
But I’m glad you’re here. I’ll never not be glad you’re here.
Please check out my newly launched Author Page for more information. You can contact me there or at ramonagriggwriter@gmail.com.
WRITERS, please check out my sister publication, Writer Everlasting. I’m taking all I’ve learned over these many years about the art and craft of writing and putting it all out there. We’re a community and a safe place for writers. No gimmicks, no sales talk, no garbage. We love words, we’re addicted to writing, and there’s nothing in the world more satisfying. Until it’s not. And we’ll talk about that, too.
If you’re reading this and you haven’t yet subscribed, here’s your chance. Subscriptions can be free or paid—and thank you in advance if you choose paid—but everyone receives the same work. No paywalls, no blocking of comments. The doors are always open.
