Pushing on a Rope
Family
Getting oriented to the new normal
It has been a quiet couple of days. I’m not tripping over 17 pairs of cute size 5 shoes left in the doorway. No dishes are piled in the kitchen sink. (The task of bending over to put them in the adjacent dishwasher is — let’s face it — arduous.) We’ve not been inundated by … Continue reading
Finishing one chapter … ready to start another
We’re still soaking in all the excitement of Catherine’s graduation from Greenwich High on Thursday, but there’s no time dilly-dally. Tuesday marks the start of a three-day orientation at Hofstra. Yesterday found us buying our first dorm gear — a set of sheets and mattress pad for the overnight introduction to the next school year. … Continue reading
Throwback Thursday — Metamorphosis
Graduation Day is finally here. Catherine and her classmates in the Greenwich High Class of 2014 will move on tonight. Being Thursday, it’s also a good time to throwback, and so I did, year by year, starting with 2000, when Catherine was in Bridges at the Mead School Child Care Center. It’s quite possible Catherine will throttle … Continue reading
Happy Father’s Day …
… to three of the best Dads. My late father-in-law, Nick, pictured here with Basil circa 1959 or ’60; My dad, Mike Salvatore, here with me in 1968; And the one who is sleeping in this morning — Basil — with our daughter, Catherine, in the summer of 1996. I just love the expressions on … Continue reading
Making the music — and memories — last
What a weekend as Catherine’s prom and the 70th anniversary of Port Chester, NY’s Band Night/Blue Key Celebration collided. It was great — if exhausting — fun. I may need a few more days to recover. Friday night and Saturday found me much as I might have been 30+ years ago, practicing music and revisiting … Continue reading
Something old, something new
A quick post amid the Saturday morning silence … before the chaos begins. We Vanech girls are each ready for our busy day. (Well, at least I’m out of bed!) Had a blast last night at practice for today’s 70th annual Blue Key/Band Night Celebration in Port Chester, NY, last night. What fun to play again and see so many … Continue reading
Encore!
Last night marked Catherine’s final high school choral concert and it was the treat we’ve come to expect. A special hallmark of the spring performance — aside from its program of pops numbers — is the senior sendoff. This year’s 45 senior choristers wore red roses on their lapels and were recognized toward the end … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — School Daze
It’s Catherine’s last official day of classes — Monday, she’ll start the four-week internship at Mead School Child Care Center that will mark the end of senior year. This week has been a mad dash of finishing projects, getting teacher signatures, turning in textbooks and otherwise running around. She will surely crash this weekend and … Continue reading
Mother’s Day Salute
Lots of Moms to remember today, in the family and among our extended group of good friends. I learn from them, and draw from their strength and example — not just today but every day. Wishing each of them a Happy Mother’s Day.
Boy Meets Grill
We have a new toy — a crazy fancy grill with every gadget known to man that’s piped into our house gas line. No more propane, and apparently no more hot spots. Basil hasn’t stopped talking about the grill, a Weber, naturally. He’s read the entire manual, perused every comment online that he can find … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 