Pushing on a Rope
Parenting
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
Flashback Friday — The Graduates
By this time next week, Catherine will be a high school graduate, so naturally this week’s flashback must go back twice, 30 and 40 years respectively. Here’s a long shot from my commencement on June 24, 1984. We were Port Chester (NY) High School’s 100th graduating class. I have no idea where I am in … 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
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.
Queen of the mountain
Out for a walk last night, I went in the opposite of my usual direction and spied this: Of course I needed a closer look. It turned out to be a little lean-to made of twigs and branches, just big enough for a child-size Adirondack chair. Perched atop a rock outcropping, it makes a perfect … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — Put Your Hands Up
Basil’s march through the file cabinet continues, unearthing all manner of things we’ve squirreled away. Some of them — like the receipt for the long-dead vacuum — make us shake our heads. Others elicit smiles (and make me question the logic of Basil’s filing system). Take this, from when Catherine was 6, or so we … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 