Pushing on a Rope
Parenting
Two guiding lights to steer me home
What a day tomorrow will be. I haven’t slept a wink in days, my mind is going a mile a minute and I’m feeling more than a little “green” at the prospect of tomorrow’s lunch. I’m meeting my first mother, Pat, and will surely not be able to swallow a bite. There’s one person who … Continue reading
Aloha eh?
There is no justice in this world. Remember last spring how Catherine and Basil went to DisneyWorld with the Greenwich High choral groups? Remember how they left me behind on account of how embarrassing I can be? Catherine begged me not to volunteer for chaperone duty, but all but volunteered Basil when the chorus director said … Continue reading
Worth a thousand words
Most of you are likely observing the Super Bowl with some kind of celebration. At our house, we’ve opted out … of most everything today. Although there was only a dusting of the white stuff, we took a snow day, slept in, had pancakes for breakfast, and puttered around the house. (Catherine is, ahem, still … Continue reading
Let the college search officially begin!
College kickoff night at Greenwich High last night. We and a bunch of other families with juniors packed ourselves, sardine-like, into the media center, trying to breath through the overheated air perfumed with all manner of lotions, shampoos, cologne and dinner aromas. Before the heat overtook me (seriously board of ed, we could save a … Continue reading
The Hostess with the mostest
Twinkies. Yodels. Ring Dings. Hear the names and you can’t help but smile — and remember the snacks and lunchbox treats of your youth. I know I do. Surely I scarfed down more Devil Dogs, Fruit Pies and Coffee Cakes than I did the apples and bananas in my school lunch (sorry, Mom). Like others hearing … Continue reading
It was my moment — and she missed it
It took a hurricane, but I finally got Catherine to willingly accompany me to the Jazzercise Center of Southwestern Connecticut, where I teach a couple times a week. Given the choice between a dark, cold house and watching Mom in all her embarrassing glory, the choice was clear — as long as she could rely … Continue reading
Keepin’ it classy on our first campus tour
I can’t believe I’m typing this, but it’s true: Tomorrow, we take Catherine to her first college open house. This person: (now this person): is starting to look at colleges. It’s an early look — to a get a lay of the land. Having just started junior year of high school a couple of months … Continue reading
Watching my disappearing act
I’m becoming irrelevant. It began happening years ago, and slowly, but surely, it’s picked up speed. I’m feeling a little like the Cheshire Cat, except instead of watching me dissolve into a grin, you’ll soon find an empty wallet where I used to be. Years ago, the letting go was cause for a mother’s celebration: … Continue reading
Oh crap! I blinked
I’ve always been a little smug about all that unsolicited parenting advice. Everyone warned me — sometimes more than once — that time would speed by, that Catherine would be all grown up before I knew it and I’d better pay attention. Yeah, yeah, I thought. Don’t waste your breath, because I will never miss … Continue reading
Stranger things have happened
We have a guest for the next couple of days — a relatively new friend of Catherine’s whose mom is traveling for business. The girl is lovely and already we’re having a great time. Funny how a new face can change the whole dynamic. We’re all on our best behavior, minding our manners, using a … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 