Each Christmas Even growing up, one of us was the recipient of a unique and wonderful handmade gift from our Aunt Mabel. After the sugar rush of popcorn ball appetizers and M&M candies by the handful, delicious chicken and rice, peas, carrots and celery sticks and the cherry cheesecake dessert, we gathered around the largest… Continue reading A purple patchwork cat

I must have an outward demeanor that invites normal-looking people to open up about the crazy in their lives. One afternoon last week, I stopped by a local TJ Maxx store to finish up some Christmas shopping: stocking stuffers, quirky gifts, miscellaneous food items, that sort of thing. As I always do in these stores,… Continue reading Backstabbing Queen

40 years and memory is what is left. Mementos are gone, save the baby scissors and the brownie pan, items with which to bury me. If I wanted to be buried. More likely, they’ll both eventually be scrap metal, tossed along with most of the other stuff in my life, save the couple of things… Continue reading Memory

As I often do, today I thought of my parents, long gone but still a significant part of my life, their values instilled in me as part of a safe and loving upbringing. My parents were forward thinking. In some ways. They were both well-educated professionals who served during WWII, products of their time and… Continue reading There is tomorrow

Toddlers are about 75 percent emotion I think. And without words to truly express those emotions, and without fear of showing their vulnerability, tantrums, crying, laughter, and hitting all abound.  My brother in law suggested that this would be a fun way to go through life. When you’re hungry, cry. Walk in to a bar,… Continue reading Love like a toddler