A landmark birthday roared past recently, one of those that bestows a zero digit on your age and thus cannot be ignored. Even for those of us who aren’t given to ruminating about the terrors of aging, it’s hard not to contemplate the implications of the ones that signal a new decade. Not long before […]
Like so many Americans, G-ma has been diverted from her usual ruminations on grandchildren and family and turned instead to pondering this historic time in our nation. Anyone with their eyes open in America this week has watched shock ripples that will be recounted for many generations to come. For me, processing shock (and its […]
“What’s that red button do?” you ask me, tugging on my arm and pointing carefully. We’re standing in front of a vintage race car, a powerful, striped beast posing silently for viewing by the quiet masses wandering through the museum**. Looking at it, my mind flies to images of dusty, romantic roads of post-war Europe, […]
My daughter stood, firmly planted in her exasperation on the side of the road that bright October day, refusing to move and begging me to listen. “Mom!” she pleaded, “Come here and just LOOK. Seriously. MOM. Listen to me.” Nononono, I responded firmly, turning my back and edging away. Now is not the time. No, […]
It’s a funny thing about sisters and brothers. You might long for them if you don’t have any. But if you do, nothing in your life will ever drive you nuts in quite the same fashion. That is, if you are like most of humanity. Ours was a family of four kids, so common in […]
In photos passed around at the office or posted proudly on Facebook, in conversations remote or at the coffee machine, whether about emerging kindergartners or newly liberated college freshers, the off-to-school transition has a universal thread. For evidence, examine those photos more closely. The kids are jubilant. They’re ready to rock and roll. Just look […]
It’s a routine Sunday morning at my favorite neighborhood restaurant, the best place for breakfast in our part of town—that is, it’s best if you prefer to place your order while sitting at a table, to a seasoned grown-up who will bring your food as you ask for it, remembers you from last time, may […]
It’s time to get back into harness after a perfectly delightful summer break, which included plenty of fun in the sun, some intriguing backroads exploration, and a restorative helping of lengthy naps. There was lots of quality time with family, with many moments to recall fondly in days to come. Other times, I can only […]
An age-old instinct was triggered the other day, when I was feeling pretty sorry for myself, felled by a nasty stomach virus and trapped at home, recovering but still weak and irritable. I wanted my Mom. A little old for that, aren’t you, you might say to a woman with grandchildren who is approaching a […]
The Scene: Spring dance recital. The Location: A clean, bright church in the heart of downtown. The Players: Scores of dance students in assorted matching ensembles, ranging from restless, over-stimulated three-year-olds in tremulous tutus to high-school students demurely draped and displaying the detached nonchalance of stage veterans. The Audience: Efficient young parents, speeding each dancer […]