Pushing on a Rope
Terri S. Vanech
Seasons eatings from my kitchen to yours
The Great Cookie Bakeoff began today. I managed to get four batches baked. As I wrote last year, the cookies are tightly tied to the season for me. It just isn’t Christmas without them, so even though I’m feeling more than a little behind the holiday eight ball this year, there will be cookies — … Continue reading
Blow Santa one last kiss
Catherine and I took deep breaths, swallowed hard and made a commando raid on the mall today, getting in and out before all the crazy people took over. Somehow we managed it with some of our sanity intact. Even though he’s been holding office hours since before Thanksgiving, Santa remains a big attraction. The line … Continue reading
Sounds of the season
Oh, it’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of year, but this Christmas season is getting away from me. Big time. I’m clinging to the simple things wherever I can find them. Last night, I was treated to this wonderful rendition of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus by the combined choruses at Catherine’s high school (can … Continue reading
In search of confirmation, validation … and myself
Life doesn’t turn out how you plan — if you can plan at all. I’m reminded of this today, because I’ve reached a tremendous milestone and it doesn’t feel a thing like I expected. Yesterday in the mail came the penultimate (don’t you love that word?) piece of information I needed to be 99% sure … Continue reading
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
Pushing on a Rope 