Pushing on a Rope
Archive for
Mama didn’t actually say there’d be days like this … did she?
Forty-three odd years ago, when I was a toddler decorating myself with the costume jewelry my Mimi set aside at her house for this purpose, playing dress-up, fussing with my dolls, hanging clothes on the pint-sized clothesline and making meals with all those plastic “groceries” I had no idea what being a grownup would be … Continue reading
A word from the Peanuts gallery
I fret a lot about aging. There’s a lot of white hair. And wrinkles. And drooping. And that’s just above the neck. I have to do that thing where I perch my glasses on the tip of my nose to see better (no, it doesn’t also help me hear better). I spend a lot of … Continue reading
Hey Santa: I’m still wishin’ and hopin’ you’ll deliver
Dear Santa: I can only presume that my letter of last year did not reach you. I’m not sure whether to blame the U.S. Postal Service or some Internet bug, but I was sorely disappointed to reach all the way down to the toe of my stocking — down where I once would find a … Continue reading
Over the hill, but in our hearts
Happy birthday to my husband, Basil — 57 years young today. This is how he looked in 1957: Readers of this blog know he is a gentle soul, a good sport and basically a simple guy. You should know he willingly allows me to assail him in this blog, and always with a smile on … Continue reading
A whole lot to be thankful for
Happy Turkey! Catherine and Basil are at the high school football game. The turkey’s in the oven, potatoes and brussels sprouts are prepped, cranberry relish has been prepared and pie is waiting for someone to take the first slice. I am relishing the silence a bit more than I should, but it’s made for a … Continue reading
Don’t let the turkey get you down
Happy Day Before Thanksgiving. Are all your annual traditions idling, ready to kick into gear? Most of ours are, but I’ve attempted to short-circuit one and you’d have thought I committed a crime. Every night before Thanksgiving, we have Chinese food. I don’t know why. It is a tradition of Basil’s childhood, one he carried … Continue reading
Full khaki jacket
If you should meet my husband sometime soon, please know that I did not dress him. I know the stupid khaki jacket he’s wearing has seen better days. I know it’s missing a button and that its collar, cuffs and waistband are fraying. I’m well aware that the elbows are no longer khaki despite my best … Continue reading
Help! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Anyone else look at the calendar this past week and realize just how close Christmas is? I haven’t stopped hyperventilating since I noticed. Not that it should be a surprise. Christmas comes every year after all. And it’s not like there weren’t clues: Even before everyone had their power and cable restored following Superstorm Sandy, … Continue reading
The Hostess with the mostest
Twinkies. Yodels. Ring Dings. Hear the names and you can’t help but smile — and remember the snacks and lunchbox treats of your youth. I know I do. Surely I scarfed down more Devil Dogs, Fruit Pies and Coffee Cakes than I did the apples and bananas in my school lunch (sorry, Mom). Like others hearing … Continue reading
Talkin’ about rap music
Catherine had a doctor’s appointment several towns away today, which meant I spent a lot of time in the car with her, sitting in traffic as she jumped from radio station to radio station in search of a better song. She favors hip-hop and rap music — a preference I still can’t understand — so … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 