I am quickly gathering up things for a late supper (staff meetings always throw me off-schedule), whilst putting away groceries and gathering up odds and ends. My son is talking to his father about the boy, formerly known as his best friend, who is still currently his “casual friend” in spite of their dwindling list …
Dear Son: You are soundly sleeping. I am in the room below your’s, loudly clicking keys on an already outdated keyboard, while outside the dog barks. Otherwise, it is quiet. I am thinking about last night. It was fun going to visit Grammie and Grampie and taking them down supper. Grampie looks better after his …
Is there anyone out there who is truly normal? I mean this sincerely. ‘Cause if there is a human in the universe who fits this description, I want to know them. And while we’re talking about this subject, what is normal? I love talking to people. I love examining people. I often compare myself to …
Sometimes I wonder if I am sending faulty messages about me and the subject matter of this blog. As in, when you end up finding a blog about the pursuit of a joyful life, amidst the other blogs out there in the blogosphere, one might think it is written by a very positive, happy-go-lucky, Type …
It is playground duty day, and I am trudging around outside, trying to avoid as much as possible the remaining patches of snow and ice. I am wearing a heavy winter jacket, snow pants, a hat and gloves with a pair of unfashionable black, knee-high riding boots. I may look like a frump, but I …
I hate feeling vulnerable, like I feel right now. I just hit send on an e-mail to a colleague regarding a work issue. I cannot talk to this person as I have never met her nor do I know where she lives. It is a long-distance working relationship within which time and space are dimensions …
I am trying to make sense of myself tonight. It has been a long day, not conducive to thinking. I got up late this morning, missed the alarm altogether. That means I am half an hour behind all day. In my subconscious, the thoughts linger from our argument last night, but I am able to …
MacDonald’s restaurant might just be the last place on earth where anything goes. If it was up to me, I would never darken the doors of this particular fast-food joint, but with four children in tow, regular visits come with the territory. I, for one, generally do not leave saying “I’m lovin’ it.” We are …
I am pushing a cart with my three noisy daughters through the grocery section of Walmart. I bend down to adjust the box of grape canned pop on the bottom wire rack, when I straighten and see her. She is pushing past me with her own teenage daughter in tow, looking in a hurry and …
We are all, more or less, standing around the kitchen trying to decide how to spend a rare free night. My eleven year-old son wants to watch a movie, and is very vocal about his choice. I think it would be quite nice to play a family game, despite the varied ages of our four …
I have all of ten minutes, yet that is just enough time to find out that the two girls are doing well and meeting all expectations and outcomes per their grade level. I am glowing with pride at their success. I listen as teachers gush over their writing and leadership abilities. I almost feel embarrassed …
I am cuddled in bed with my youngest. This, after she has jumped all over the bed and I have calmed her down by rubbing cream on her hands and feet, a nightly calming ritual as much as the bedtime story we are about to read together. Tonight’s selection, Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, is the …