That's Bubby grinning in front with Aunt Ann next to her and in back, (l-r), Aunt Adele, Mom (aka "Aunt Irlene"), Aunt Bessie & Aunt Freda. My family was comprised of women who were not warm and fuzzy. They were efficient. Mom, in particular, was not all shy about noting the shortcomings of her offspring. … Continue reading If you loved it, you fed it: a Mother’s Day Post, recipe included
Tag: parenting
Mom died on February 25th. Her funeral was in Utica, New York; yesterday was her memorial service. This is the eulogy I wrote and read yesterday. Eulogy II The first Tuesday after Mom’s funeral, I woke up and, because it has been part of my waking-up ritual for what seems like forever (even though it … Continue reading Death: the most unlikely of happy endings or ‘Bossiest Eulogy Ever’
So many other things I’d rather be writing about today (eg: my new puppy or Argo, the coolest road-worthy amphibious Canadian export ever). Instead, I'm writing a cautionary tale about the hazards of being good at other peoples’ lives. There’s hardly anything easier. After all, who doesn’t know better than someone who hasn't dealt directly with an issue … Continue reading Suicide as clickbait is stigma in action, starring XO Jane & Amanda Lauren Kass
I will confess to not being terribly distressed to slam the door on 2015. Between the job layoff, sending my best non-human friend Tuki to the Rabbit Field in the Sky and my mother on a slow cruise to Dementia Island, it’s been – and continues to be – interesting times. Still, there have been … Continue reading New Business, Writer’s Block and Preventing Newborn Ignorance, One Baby at a Time
I don't remember life without books. According to my mother, I wore out five copies of "Pat the Bunny" before learning to read - which I did before starting kindergarten. This did not endear me to Mrs. Ferris, my kindergarten teacher ("Kindergarteners aren't supposed to read"). It especially did not endear me to my first-grade teacher, Helen Zoeckler. I spent … Continue reading Me & Books (with a preface about Flying Erasers and other dangers of education)
So, today my piece about my daughters' weddings came out, and people who have read it have had very kind things to say. I wrote - and meant - that I have never been in a hurry to see my children get married and reproduce. Most of that has to do with them, and respect for their … Continue reading Weddings
the sentence factory 