Yesterday was my father-in-law’s birthday. He would have been 94. He died nearly 11 years ago after a debilitating stroke. I remembered it was his birthday as I placed a little gift for my brother-in-law on our dinner table. This is the story of Joseph Soares Couto and how my mother-in-law [...]

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This is a Thanksgiving post. Can’t you tell from its title? It is. And I write it with great love for all women with crappy fingernails.
You have finished cleaning your home. Laundered your tablecloths and napkins. Dug out your roasting pan and rack and baster. Your nails have [...]

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Last night, while babysitting for Audrey’s 4 boys, I got a great big slice of philosophical advice from her 3-year old, Alex.
I was helping him get into his pajamas when he reminded me that he needed new, clean underwear. I knew that meant another trip upstairs with these old bones of mine, [...]

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It began with an innocent cup of coffee at a little cafe on Providence’s East Side. Dozens of people had taken the opportunity of the gloriousness of the day to take their coffees and goodies to the brick piazza outside. Perhaps it was the historic significance of Election Day that made everyone so [...]

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I spent a few days with Audrey while her husband was out of town. All I can say is… thank God I have thick skin. Or, at least, “pretty lines.” I’m thinking that I must get William (just turned 4) and Alexander (just turned 3) together for a little tutorial in [...]

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My husband Barry is kind, loving, attentive, generous and all around wonderful.
As a Dad, multiply all of this by, well, a zillion. As a Grandpa, there is no number or word big or beautiful enough to describe his love. BUT (isn’t there always a BUT when it comes to kids?)… there seems always [...]

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Today is the first day I’ve had to wear a winter jacket here in New England. My jackets and coats are all stored very nicely in a closet in my downstairs hallway… a little closet carved out beneath my front staircase. I also have scarves and mittens and gloves and hats and [...]

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Dawg and Libragirl both gave me this nifty award.  I love them both so very much (even without the award!).  And today… even more special… it’s Libragirl’s birthday. Head on over and give her a BIG birthday shout-out!
Now it’s my turn to award 7 bloggers whose blogs I, well… love. There are so many of [...]

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I am not one to openly criticize behavioral management and/or disciplinary skills of parents. I am a parent to 4 grown children and a grandparent to 9 grandchildren. I have my opinions. (Lord, do I have my opinions.) But that is neither here nor there for this discussion.
Nay. This discussion involves [...]

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How do you, and/or the children in your life, refer to… well, flatulence.
I ask only because I overheard a big and bad discussion between an adult and a child at Fenway Park on Monday night regarding this very topic. First, let me repeat that I was at a baseball game. Peanuts. Cracker [...]

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