Pushing on a Rope
Parenting
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
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
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
Baby, you can drive my car
Consider yourself warned: Catherine passed her road test today. This former baby can now drive a car. (I can’t show you a photo of her with her license just yet. She has to wait 48 hours before she can get that at the DMV. I don’t know why, and she’s pretty sore about it.) Of … 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
Flashback Friday — Beach Baby, There on the Sand
The weather here in Southwestern Connecticut flirted this week with a bit of summer and naturally got me thinking about the beach. This photo never fails to make me smile. Taken in the summer of 1997, Catherine was just over a year old and not sure she wanted to TOUCH the sand. Love those chunky … Continue reading
At Seventeen
Happy, happy birthday to our daughter, Catherine, who turns 17 today. As I watched her walk to the bus stop this morning (yes, I still watch out the kitchen window, every morning), I couldn’t help but remember her first steps, those chunky-monkey thighs wobbling under the effort. Her first words (Da-Da, naturally. Sigh. But many, … 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
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
Pushing on a Rope 