Pushing on a Rope
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Laughter remains the best medicine
I’ll embrace a bit of entertainment anywhere I can find it. After all, it helps break up the day’s rope-pushing moments. Little did I know that CVS after prime time offers people-watching and other activities to rival Metro-North. Nine o’clock last night found me there to pick up a prescription. It’s not a normal shopping … Continue reading
What’s in store this holiday season
Well, I made it through Black Friday without being maced or punched in the nose. By the time I stuck a toe outside to do some shopping, it was well into the afternoon and the rowdiest of crowds had gone back to bed. There are plenty of people who view Black Friday shopping as sport — … Continue reading
A step-by-step guide to celebrating the holidays
We’ve got little rituals we follow all year, but holiday time is fairly steeped in traditions. I don’t know about you, but starting the third week in November, there’s practically a checklist I run down. Some of these activities are rooted in childhood, others are the result of our efforts to forge uniquely Basil-Terri-Catherine rituals. And … Continue reading
Shedding light on childhood memories
Basil’s birthday is today and to celebrate, Catherine and I gave him something he’s been missing for years: A Humpty Dumpy lamp to replace the one his mom got rid of when Basil was a child. Unfortunately, Basil did not agree with her choice. He’s mourned the loss of that stalwart egg for many decades. Thanks to … Continue reading
Fight the madness
My peers and I seem to have become a generation of crazy people. We’re keeping it together with spit and paper clips, trying real hard to smile and wave while we bring home the bacon, fry it up and clean the kitchen up afterward. While we clean and fold the underwear, write out the birthday greetings, … Continue reading
Games people play
My vow to “live out loud” keeps taking me to unexpected places to do things I’ve never tried before. Last night was no exception. I’ll bet you’re thinking sky diving or exotic travel, maybe skiing or some other athletic endeavor. Nope: Bingo. Last night was the annual Turkey Bingo fundraiser hosted by the Ladies Philoptochos … Continue reading
Talkin’ turkey
The annual week’s worth of cooking madness is about to begin. I’ve got my spatula ready. How about you? Compared to a lot of folks (like a fellow Jazzercise instructor who’s expecting 40 guests), my turkey madness is pretty tame, a far cry from the annual food orgy I grew up with. When I was … Continue reading
Would you like fries with that?
Slow Cooker Korean Beef Soft Tacos. From A Year of Slow Cooking I’m sure other wives and mothers can relate to an ongoing frustration I have: I try to shake up the cuisine here, while keeping it nutritious and easy to make. Like all other good deeds, it never goes unpunished. Tonight was a perfect example: Slow … Continue reading
Text messages from the edge
As I noted in my last post, it’s been a helluva week. Not all bad, definitely some good mixed in, but an absolutely stressful, crazy, whirlwind few days. Enough to send me, hyperventilating, into any available quiet space to center myself, even for a few minutes, so I could make it through another couple of … Continue reading
Life outside the comfort zone
Last night marked another watershed moment in my vow to live out loud. I was monitored by Quality Control as I taught a Jazzercise class. It was my first review since getting certified in May. All week I was sweating it — double-checking my set, getting up even earlier to practice the routines, hoping I … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 