Pushing on a Rope
Family
My eureka moment
My epiphanies are few and far between, but following yesterday’s post, about Basil’s ongoing transition to the world of (semi)retirement while I continue to toil in the salt mines, I had a big AHA moment. The post elicited quite a few comments and offers of help (Truthfully, I’m not sure if these folks are trying … Continue reading
Beating around the bushes
Basil was busy while I was 3,000 miles away this past week. He worked his way through the list I left of important appointments, chores and errands, plus a few tasks of his own. Naturally he was eager to show off his work when I got in the door at midnight last night. Before I … Continue reading
Small wonders
This picture of Catherine and me was taken in February 1997 — she is 10 months here and I am, yes, still wearing shoulder pads and a hairdo that later grew to Rosanne Rosannadanna width. Those are stories for another day. In addition to being one of my favorites, this picture represents “before,” before she: … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — Kissing Cousins
I love a picture that tells a story, and this one is about a love affair. It’s Catherine, age 3, and her cousin Nicky, then 4. Both of them are looking at colleges now and I don’t know where time went. Their lives and interests have diverged as happens in life. But back when this … Continue reading
At 17, still saying the darndest things
So, I must travel for business next week, a thankfully rare occurrence that nevertheless sends all three of us Vaneches into a bit of a tizzy. Already, I’m starting the lists of chores, appointments, errands, etc., to be completed in my absence. (The first time I did this last year, I got frantic emails demanding … Continue reading
Ole, Opa and Our Life on the Fast Track
Lily invited us to her Cinco de Mayo-themed fourth birthday party yesterday; we had great fun watching her and her friends cavort in our former neighbors’ back yard. These days, we’re so stressed running from activity to obligation, being plugged in, crunching numbers, cleaning things, making deadlines, facing the music, and planning for the next … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — Easter again
Happy Easter! It is this weekend for my husband’s family, Orthodox Christians who follow a different calendar from the Roman Catholic church. Sometimes the days coincide, but more often than not the Orthodox Church celebrates at a different time.This year, the two Easters are very far apart, further than I can ever remember. Of course, … Continue reading
Stream of consciousness
At Hofstra U earlier today doing another college look-see. We took a break from the information coming at us at 90 mph; the endless parades of kids and their helicopter parents; and the spectacle of hair dye, tattoos and body piercings for a quick bite to eat in their dining hall. “Look,” I remarked, pointing … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — It must be springs!
Catherine, 11, on our then-annual vacation to Cape Cod. A million things to do on the Cape and yet we found ourselves at the Jump On Us! trampoline play site nearly every day. You know I’m going to catch hell for posting this, but having returned from a walk in the neighborhood where it seems … Continue reading
We still go together (rama, lama, lama, ka dinga da dinga dong)
When I arrived for practice with the Rye Town Community Band last night, I briefly thought I’d entered a time warp. Port Chester Middle School, where we practice, is putting on Grease. I couldn’t help but smile at the sets and the costumes neatly laid out in the practice room. (Our ninth-grade version of Greased Lighting … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 