Late yesterday afternoon, Audrey called and asked if I could go for a little ride with her and stay with the kids in the car while she popped quickly into a couple of places.
It was raining.  The kids were antsy.  And Audrey was trying to avoid that dreaded unbuckle the seat belts, etc. for little [...]

[Read more →]

Ya know how sometimes ya just have to let out at good @#*! once-in-a-while when @#*! happens…
Like when someone in another car cuts you off.  Or your drive-thru coffee is light with cream and sugar when you asked for black, no sugar.  When you have this much gas in your tank and you’re late for [...]

[Read more →]

I had many brilliant professors while studying to become a teacher, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
But one professor, a warm and wonderful man with a great sense of humor, is the one who stands books above the rest.  He was an older gentleman with a kind face and a keen wit.  His expertise [...]

[Read more →]

Barry’s birthday was one of the nights that Barry and I enjoy most of all.
A celebration. All the kids. All the grandkids.
And an angel.
It has been rainy and unseasonably cool in New England this week, but Barry’s “back deck” birthday party went beautifully well. It didn’t rain. It was warm enough [...]

[Read more →]

I have a big basket of children’s books.  Some are fairly new, but most of them belonged to my children when they were kids.  I had enrolled them in something called the Scholastic Children’s Choice Book Club, and a new book magically arrived each month through the mail.  These books are hardcover and sturdy.  Yes, [...]

[Read more →]

Touch a what?
Touch a Truck!
Today was the annual Touch a Truck event and fundraiser at our local YMCA.  It features what every kid loves.  Trucks.  Trucks and vehicles of all shapes, all sizes, all ages… that kids get to touch, climb on, sit in, horn blow, wear helmets and head-gear, “steer” and enjoy.  And of [...]

[Read more →]

Of all the world’s oceans and lakes and rivers and steams -
Of all the man-made wave pools and splash parks and private clubs -
There’s just something so sweet and simple and innocent and enduring about a little back yard pool…

(This is my Nana, my Aunt Jean, my Uncle Bob, me and my brother Bill - [...]

[Read more →]

While Janie and I were talking recently about relationships and companionship and marriage and the magic and triumph of hope thereof… I found myself telling her about The Watering Can.
The Watering Can is perhaps my metaphoric vision of the “to have and to hold” piece of life and love and relationships. But my [...]

[Read more →]

My mom just turned 84.
Beginning when I was a very little girl, I remember my mom’s birthday and Mother’s Day being very close together. I remember picking out birthday gifts… and already thinking ahead to that first Sunday in May, often going with a gift theme. Like a summer ensemble or travel items [...]

[Read more →]

I was headed out for a run this morning when I realized that my iPod had not been charged in awhile. This didn’t bother me for me, but rather for Jane, who would be using my iPod later on her 20-mile run.  Jane is training for a full marathon (May 3rd - 3 weeks from [...]

[Read more →]