We’ve lived on our sweet little country road for more than two decades—which is more than twice as long as I’ve lived anywhere else. People who live on this road tend not to move once they get here. And their animals tend to live to ripe old ages. And the wild animals, because they’re left in peace, also live long and have become part of the finely knit fabric of this little community. I often joke that it must be … Read More
Tradition–the glue that binds individuals, families, cultures…
When I think about our family traditions, we have two kinds. The traditional traditions that most Americans fall back on, and many that have grown organically over the years that are unique to us.
I have to say, I enjoy the organic ones the most. Cait has been the instigator of many of my personally favorite traditions like “Best Part, Worst Part, Don’t Tell,” “Bedtime Tickle Fights,” and “… Read More
You’re thinking those are funny looking slippers, I know. And you’re wondering what a pile of random shoes has to do with telling anything. In our house, this would tell you how many people have been here today.
And what do mismatched shoes strewn about have to do with people entering your home, you might muse. When Graidy gets excited, his natural inclination is to gently grab your hand and lead you into the kitchen. To curb that tendency, I’ve … Read More
With a beloved dog getting ready to move on to the next world, and a beloved daughter getting ready to move on to college, I’m doing all I can to slow down time. I’ve been laughing all morning looking through an old scrapbook. Any parents out there–I thought you could relate to this one.
“Mom, can I take the train in to Boston to go to a Red Sox game with Dan?”
“Just you and Dan?”
(Both kids are only 16. Dan is one of Cait’s many guy friends.)
“Yep.”
“How come he’s inviting you and not one of his buddies?”
“They’re all Yankees fans. I’m the only Red Sox fan he knows.”
(What my daughter also fails to mention is that she lives for adventure!)
“Where does the train get in? How far … Read More
Cait was doing her homework at the kitchen table while I was getting dinner ready.
Out of nowhere, she started, “Mom, Shanley is a funny name. It’s kind of hard and soft sounding at the same time. And I always have to spell it because no one ever gets it right.”
“I don’t even wait for people to ask me to spell it anymore, I just automatically do now,” I said in agreement.
“And I always end up toward the … Read More
The presents I love most always come free and unattached to any Hallmark holiday. This little gift of peonies are fresh cut from my garden and the smell is heavenly. Which is interesting. Because I’m allergic to perfume. But not to the incredible scent of these beauties. But this bouquet is especially special to me because it carries a secret message.
Did you spot it?
Cait is always leaving me little notes expressing her love for me. I’ll often sit … Read More
Cait and I’ve spent the last several days in Ames, Iowa at Iowa State University. She and her Odyssey of the Mind team won 1st at Regionals and 2nd at States, which qualified them to compete at Worlds. Which is sort of like the Olympics for creative mind types. Here’s as good as any explanation I can find on what Odyssey is, if you’re not familiar with it:
… Read MoreOdyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative
