Family
Cat-astrophe
“When you’re ready to put Arnold on a diet,” the vet says, “call me. It can be a process, but it can work.” Arnold is the second of our cats to need some help in terms of dietary needs. The first, Ferdinand, ended up with diabetes, something we couldn’t control. I still remember the toil…
Read MoreAll I Want for Christmas . . .
This year hasn’t been easy for anyone. (That’s probably a gross understatement, of course.) And I think the stress of this year, whether overt or subtle, has gotten to me in ways I didn’t expect. Because today, as I sit at my computer and think about all the things I might want, or need, the…
Read MoreRecipe Sharer
I recently proofread a cookbook, which was an experience in and of itself. Making sure all the measurements corresponded, that the hours and minutes and servings were consistent—a perfectionist’s nightmare, actually. On the other hand, the task appealed to that organizational side of mine so much, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. (And I’m…
Read MoreSacrifices
We’ve all had to make sacrifices this year (that might be a very big understatement for some of us). But for the most part, I’ve been lucky. And even though we have six people at home for much of the day (Tim goes into work because he has his own office in which he can…
Read MoreNew Favorites
This past summer, we had a bag of overripe plums to get rid of. In my quest to use up all the food we buy, I scoured the internet and found an amazing plum crumble recipe. I copied it down and made it (several times over, and with modifications, of course), and I’m glad I…
Read MoreFinding That Groove Again
My parents live a half mile from me. This short distance was by design: when we moved them here, we chose the best, close nursing facility so that I’d be able to see them often. And in the days before COVID-19, I visited them every day. Now, I can only see my mom a few…
Read MoreCarry You
When Z and T were eighteen months old, we moved from a 900-square foot apartment to a four-bedroom, two-story house. The girls took little time to adjust to the new territory, with the exception of a set of stairs. The two steps from the living room to the sunken family room were met with glee.…
Read MoreThe Button
Monday evening, 8:14 p.m. Just as I’m getting ready to head up to put Melina to bed, my phone rings. A call from the place my parents live at this time of the night doesn’t bode well, especially when it’s not my dad doing the calling. “Christina? It’s Pam. Your dad is complaining of chest…
Read MoreThank You for Your Service
My sister works for the VA, so I’ve become accustomed to thanking members of the military for their service when I see them. Just a quick word or two at the grocery store or bank usually does the trick. My reward? A return “thank you” or a small smile. Telling these folks thank you is…
Read MoreSunscreen, Shinguards, and Cleats, Oh My!
Aaron is playing on the junior varsity high school soccer team this year. I can’t remember how many years he’s been playing soccer. Maybe ten? I think his soccer days date back to when he was four and first entered the little recreation leagues we have out here. Since then, he’s moved onto more competitive…
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