Ellen Snortland

My parents were New Deal Democrats, often called “Yellow Dog Democrats.” That was shorthand for, “I’d rather vote for a yellow dog than a Republican.” I had weekly phone calls

I’m writing this column the week before we’ll have at least a sense of the election’s outcome. Be still my heart, stomach and intestines! This week, I decided to regale

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Rinse and repeat. I

I love my sunny office, a refuge from heartache and a place where I bare my soul through writing. Dogs lying at my feet, I burn my WoodWick candle, which

I’ve been close friends with a family whose matriarch and I would clash occasionally, especially around holiday tables. I’ll call her Bonnie. She was an ardent Christian Scientist, and all

I’ve been close friends with a family whose matriarch and I would clash occasionally, especially around holiday tables. I’ll call her Bonnie. She was an ardent Christian Scientist, and all

My home is a mishmash of women-made folk art from around the world, primarily from Mexico. I have a blue sky and puffy white clouds painted on our living room

The LA Press Club recently awarded Ellen Snortland Best Columnist and Journalist Of The Year! If you’d like to access Ellen’s other writing, visit https://ellenbsnortland.substack.com and consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

If I had a magic wand, I’d wave it and give everyone I know an IMPACT Personal Safety Empowerment self-defense class. People often ask me how I became an advocate

According to Wikipedia, the phrase “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” is from an editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church. Written in response to a letter by 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon