Pushing on a Rope
Parenting
A girl, and her dad
I spend a lot of time razzing Basil, but the truth is, Catherine couldn’t have gotten much luckier in the father department. Oh, it’s true she’s had him wrapped around her little finger from the get-go, but he is a more-than-willing accomplice. He doted on her from the time she was small. Well, after I … Continue reading
Livin’ the dream
Color me suspicious. I just came home from a long day of pushing computer keys, on my way to band practice, pretty much expecting that Catherine would have long forgotten my morning plea to start the load of towels and run them through the drier. You can imagine my shock, then, to find the towels … 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
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
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
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
(Almost) Wordless Wednesday — Wishing for spring
I love winter, truly I do, but it’s time for a little sunshine and warmth now. It’d be nice to have a Sunday afternoon like the one depicted above rather than yet more slush and cold.
In the driver’s seat
Today marked Catherine’s first driving lesson with an actual instructor and there were plenty of nerves to go around. She was anxious, too, but did quite well, taking a two-hour tour of lower Fairfield County, up to Westport on I-95, through Norwalk, Darien and Stamford, picking up the Merritt Parkway somewhere along the way. She … Continue reading
Flashback Friday — Bag it!
I’m going to catch hell for this photo essay, but why not? It’s great fun. Catherine, probably about 18 months (I REALLY need to sort out the photos). Like most kids, she had more than enough toys (you can spy some of our impulse buys and contributions from zealous grandparents in the background of these … Continue reading
Cat’s in the Cradle …
Finally finished celebrating Christmas this weekend. Yes, you read that correctly. Between the swim meets, volleyball games, gymnastics competitions and a million other things, this was the first weekend we could get together with Jacquie and her family. Jacquie is my dearest friend from college, a soul sister who is sometimes mistaken for actually being … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 