Pushing on a Rope
Parenting
Frank talk about the birds and the bees
Our weekend has been for the birds. Really. Some new neighbors — well, they’re only passing through, I’m sure — showed up in the cork tree outside the kitchen door. Four baby robins hatched a few days ago and are keeping their mom — and us — very busy. We’ve been glued to the nest … Continue reading
Today and every day, Mom’s not the word
Good morning!. Did you get your morning toast in bed? My sister and I used to make quite a production of Mother’s Day tea and toast on the tray table. Mom ate it every year with gusto. I wonder now exactly what she was thinking! I did not get breakfast in bed today, since — … Continue reading
In sickness and in health — A view from the pediatrician’s waiting room
Among other things, this week brought a milestone — for Catherine and for me. She won’t like me telling you this, but it was the first time she went in for her annual physical alone. I’d left the decision up to her, as I have for the past couple of years, and she finally called … Continue reading
When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true
How lucky I was last night: Basil called as the GHS chorus began its medleys of Disney tunes for the park visitors last night and held the phone up so I could hear, too. Even through the crappy phone connection, they sounded terrific threading their way through the first, a 20-minute series of classics — … Continue reading
Jolly Holiday
Ah, Day 4: It has been a cooking, cleaning whirlwind. From the piles on Catherine’s desk, next to her desk and crammed into the bookcase I’ve carted off an armload of teen magazines, last year’s school papers (taken out of the backpack in June and not touched since), and a collection of dried-out lip glosses … Continue reading
I’ve got no strings to hold me down
Day 3: A girl could start to like being on her own. Oh, sure I miss Basil and Catherine, but what a treat to have my own agenda for the day — no place to be, no friends to drive, no predetermined mealtimes, kid-specific errands or shopping requests. I don’t have to stay awake past … Continue reading
Whistle while you work
Day 2, the first full day of freedom, er, long-suffering vigil, as Basil and Catherine travel with the GHS choral groups to compete at DisneyWorld. It has been a good, productive day. Working against the backdrop of hammering and the on-again/off-again hum of a compressor while Catherine’s bedroom gets a face-lift, I was able to … Continue reading
Hakuna Matata
Florida will never be the same. Catherine and Basil finally landed late this afternoon. It was a victory of sorts for them both. Basil reports his group of 12 boys is nice and listens. (Fingers crossed that remains the case, and that Catherine’s chaperone is sending a similar message to her spouse.) Catherine overcame her … Continue reading
The Happiest Place(s) on Earth
So it begins. This morning Basil and Catherine left for the GHS Chorus trip to DisneyWorld. The group will compete tomorrow, sit in on a music workshop with Disney professionals and sing for park visitors on Main Street USA Sunday night. Plus they get to play in the various Disney parks. Followers of this blog … Continue reading
Can you hear me now?
A lot is made of mother’s guilt, especially working mother’s guilt. Been there, done that. I’ve sobbed in the car after dropping a reluctant toddler at day care — and watching her little face pressed up against the classroom window begging me to stay. (And I’ve returned to said day care and had to convince … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 