Pushing on a Rope
Terri S. Vanech
What We Have Here is a Failure to Communicate
Catherine’s return home for winter break has meant certain adjustments. We are getting used to the strange hours she now keeps, and having to share everything again — the TV remote, the bathrooms … and the two cars. Yesterday, the effort went awry. Having finally returned home late yesterday afternoon — with one of the cars … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — Christmas past and present
Flashback 18 years today to Catherine’s very first Christmas. Naturally, we were much more excited about it than she was. While she napped, I ran to the gas station down the street, picked up a small tree and had Basil haul it into our little rented condo. Then at warp speed we strung the lights, … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — Sounds of the Season
Lots of things are missing this holiday season. As we have been since August, when we left Catherine and the carload of stuff at the dorm at Hofstra, Basil and I remain a bit unmoored. Little by little we’re finding our way to a new normal, but one of the holes in our holiday prep this … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — Tree-rific
It’s strange this year to begin the holiday stuff without Catherine to help — or at least supervise the effort. After returning her to Hofstra last Sunday, Basil and I set to work getting the outdoor decorations arranged. It’s clear that the oversized candy canes and family of deer are on borrowed time, 15 years of … Continue reading
Yes, Catherine, there is a Santa Claus
Several friends with younger children have been on Facebook these past few days, pleading with other parents to help keep the Christmas magic alive. It seems there is another holiday tradition at work: The older kids are spilling the beans at school about Santa, the Myth and Legend. I don’t remember exactly when I realized … Continue reading
Home for Thanksgiving
Tuesday brought great excitement as the prodigal daughter returned home from the dorm, having figured out how to get here all on her own. Four hours, two trains and a subway ride later, she was dragging backpack and duffel off the Metro-North platform in Stamford. A few minutes later she was dumping them just inside … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 