D. D Bartholomew
Bio
D.D. Bartholomew is retired from the Metropolitan Opera in NYC, a published romance author. Her books are set in the opera world, often with a mafia twist. She has a black belt in iaido (samurai sword) from a small school on Long Island.
Stories (35)
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The Last Goodbye
Samantha stood at the window of her tiny fifth-floor apartment, the city’s skyline stretched out before her like an old, beloved painting. The sun was setting over Manhattan, casting a golden hue across the high-rises and brownstones, making the grime of the streets below shimmer as though it were part of the city’s charm. Her bags were packed, her lease terminated, and her new life in Florida awaited. But here she was, still glued to this window, looking out at her city one last time.
By D. D Bartholomewabout a year ago in Humans
Embracing Change
Retirement marks a significant turning point in a person’s life, offering the opportunity to reflect on the past while opening the door to new possibilities. For many, it’s a time to pursue long-held dreams, explore new places, and embrace a slower, more relaxed pace of life. This is often accompanied by the decision to relocate, especially to regions with warmer climates like Florida. For Clara, a woman in her early seventies, the decision to move to Florida after retiring came with a mix of excitement, apprehension, and nostalgia. After living in the same home since she was ten years old, the process of packing up her life and leaving behind decades of memories was emotionally challenging but necessary.
By D. D Bartholomewabout a year ago in Humans
Intimacy and the Older Woman
Yearning for an intimate relationship that goes unfulfilled is a complex and often intense experience, woven with a tapestry of desire, frustration, and longing. It's like a hunger that gnaws at the soul, an insatiable craving that consumes every thought and sensation.
By D. D Bartholomew2 years ago in Humans
The Bardavon 1869 Opera House
When I mentioned to a few friends that I was going to visit a theater called the Bardavon 1869 Opera House they asked me why I was going there. I was surprised. After all, it’s the oldest continuously operating theater in New York State. Why wouldn’t I want to see it?
By D. D Bartholomew3 years ago in Wander
Three Times the Charm
We met while I was waiting for a bus. It was pouring and I’d forgotten to bring an umbrella when I’d left work. As I stood in the rain huddling under the flimsy plastic overhang by the bus stop, I noticed a man standing near me and sharing his umbrella. He never said a word. I only noticed because the rain had stopped falling on me.
By D. D Bartholomew4 years ago in Humans
Waste Management Redefined
The days were most cloudy at that time of year and when a nice day occurred, it tended to brighten my mood. That’s what happened one day back in February when the weather was beautiful. That day the sun was shining, the temperatures were well above freezing, the snow was melting (although not quickly enough for me) and I decided it was too nice outside to waste the day hibernating inside my house. I decided to take a long drive and went to one of my favorite places: Captree State Park.
By D. D Bartholomew5 years ago in Wander
Tegami - A Letter
In 2008 Angela Aki, a singer-songwriter then based in Japan, released a song called Tegami. It was a letter from a 15-year-old to her adult self, with a reply from the adult self to the 15-year-old. It was a sensation. Middle-school children related so well to the song that when it played on the TV or anywhere else, they would cry crying hysterically. The lyrics are below:
By D. D Bartholomew5 years ago in Humans
The Promise
“Amore mio, promise me you’ll be with me when I die,” he said to me. I looked at him, not knowing if he was serious or not, but said, “Yes, I promise. Wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, I’ll come to you. But don’t go and die on me any time soon, all right?”
By D. D Bartholomew5 years ago in Families
Love is Strange
Love is strange. I mean, how does one define love? There are so many different types, different meanings, different human interactions. Love can be defined as a philia, a deep friendship. The type where two or more people can have intimate, meaningful conversations but there is absolutely no physical attraction. Love can be familiar, totally selfless and unconditional. It means giving of yourself without any expectation of receiving back. There is a type of love called agape, meaning to put someone else’s needs ahead of your own. There is eros, a physical need which can be demonstrated through holding hands, kissing and in many more intimate ways.
By D. D Bartholomew5 years ago in Humans
The Complexity of Simplicity
Simplicity is defined as the state of being uncomplicated, according to Merriam-Webster. And when one goes to a theater, whether in an opera house, on Broadway or even in an amateur production, it could seem like that. After all, what does the audience see? A bare stage with a few props? Maybe a sheer drop-down curtain to set the background? It would be natural for a person to assume that because the setting is simple the whole show was simple to produce.
By D. D Bartholomew5 years ago in Humans
