Growing up, our family put up the Christmas tree one week before Christmas and took it down one week after. Two weeks. That was my father’s preference. I have no doubt we begged and pleaded to put it up earlier, but all I really remember is the glorious feeling of[Read more]
How’s this for shifting gears? Today I offered a holiday make-and-take at the Arts Center, with samples of things that could be made, but also lots of encouragement to do your own thing. There was a nice balance of rogues and rule followers, resulting in some really clever creations. I[Read more]
Yesterday, when my boys got home from school, my oldest said, “Mom, I’m leaving my shoes outside my room tonight.” Then he stood there, waiting for me to ask, “Why?” But I didn’t have to ask. It was December 5 and, good German descendant that I am, I know what[Read more]
I’ve lost so much. It pisses me off every time I think about it. First, I’ve lost the original purpose for this blog, since all I can manage to write about is this incomprehensible plot twist that sidelined my story two months ago. I’m undoubtedly losing potential readers, who come[Read more]
I’ve purchased fresh flowers for myself almost every week since he left. Kroger has the best selection of marked down bouquets on Mondays and today I brought home a dozen red roses for $3.00. I know that walking through the grocery with a bouquet in my cart will elicit a well-meant[Read more]
I don’t remember much from my two years of high school Spanish, but I clearly recall the words and the voice that began every practice cassette: “Escucha y repite” (listen and repeat). I learned about classical music that way – listening to certain songs over and over until I could[Read more]