Pushing on a Rope
Archive for
Lies my brain told me
The human brain is an amazing masterwork, able to think and reason, create incredible things … and lie. Yes, lie. To ourselves, that is. Not the little white ones, but bald-faced, nose-growing lies. These past few weeks, I’ve been taking part in a 30 Day Healthy Challenge run by my friend Kristen under the auspices … Continue reading
Flashback Friday: Happy Easter, Take 1
Me, on Easter Sunday 1970. I am 4 here. I have great memories of the Easter egg hunts my Mimi and Papa used to host at their little bungalow in Hawthorne, NY. All the cousins came and we were let loose in the yard to find the plastic eggs that were stuffed with goodies and … Continue reading
And now, for a closer look
Family resemblances are a pet project of mine. I am endlessly fascinated by how people look and act alike. It is, I presume, the result of being adopted and growing up without seeing another person who looks me. Catherine’s birth nearly 17 years ago began to change that; she looks a bit like me, especially … Continue reading
Saturday Morning Fever — The most fun you can have in sneakers
How did you start your day? I got my Saturday moving the same way I do every week — with the 8:30 am class at Jazzercise of Southwestern Connecticut. Two nights a week, I’m in charge of the mic, but on Saturdays, I take my place on the floor with our fabulous customers and take … Continue reading
Giving voice to a breath of spring
Beautiful finale at the Greenwich High choral concert Wednesday night — all five choirs squeezed onto the risers to sing Irving Berlin’s “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor.” It was a wonderful way to end an amazing evening of vocal entertainment — and a fitting welcome to spring. (As with the winter concert, it is … Continue reading
Sharing TMI at the library
When did the library become the equivalent of a Starbucks sans beverages? I admit I’m old school about the library, a point of view that harks back to my days as a page (yes, you read that right) at the Port Chester (NY) Public Library, where i spent time after school and Saturdays shelving books. … Continue reading
(Almost) Wordless Wednesday — Wishing for spring
I love winter, truly I do, but it’s time for a little sunshine and warmth now. It’d be nice to have a Sunday afternoon like the one depicted above rather than yet more slush and cold.
In the driver’s seat
Today marked Catherine’s first driving lesson with an actual instructor and there were plenty of nerves to go around. She was anxious, too, but did quite well, taking a two-hour tour of lower Fairfield County, up to Westport on I-95, through Norwalk, Darien and Stamford, picking up the Merritt Parkway somewhere along the way. She … Continue reading
We’re outta touch
If “resilience” was the word for 2012, 2013’s theme must be “connection.” After starting the year off with a bang, finding and meeting my birthmother, and a whole “new” bunch of relatives, we Vaneches are continuing in the same vein. Basil has heard from a couple of schoolmates he hasn’t spoken to in years, and … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — Bag it!
I’m going to catch hell for this photo essay, but why not? It’s great fun. Catherine, probably about 18 months (I REALLY need to sort out the photos). Like most kids, she had more than enough toys (you can spy some of our impulse buys and contributions from zealous grandparents in the background of these … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 