The doorball rang the other morning. Very exciting – it was Fed Ex. Bummer – it was for Malcolm. Wait, why would Malcolm be getting an urgent envelope via Fed Ex? When our 12-year-old climbed down from his bunk bed two hours later, he excitedly ripped open the tab, only to groan in disappointment. “It’s from the [...]
Every year when Wimbledon rolls around, I am reminded of one of the greatest travel coups of my life. In 1985, my parents pulled up stakes, left Mid-Missouri, and went to England for six months. They rented a flat in Henley-on-Thames, tootled around the UK in a little car they bought, and had a ball learning [...]
I for one am very tired of the word “cougar” to describe older woman who track down and pounce on younger men. First of all, is there anything really wrong with that? And second of all, is there an equivalent word for men who stalk and bag trophy wives? “Horndog” isn’t quite specific enough. “Donald [...]
For the last 180 days, Malcolm informed us, he has been working very hard. At school. Certainly not at home. We agreed that yesterday, when school ended in the late morning, he could have his buddies over to blow off some steam. An impromtu backyard bacchanal was planned. It began with a lunch of pizza, fruit salad, and Coke. Two [...]
Before children, Chris and I would sleep late on weekends. (Is “sleep in” an East Coast expression? I don’t remember anyone saying that in the Midwest). We might get up at 9, 10 or even 11, depending on which parties or concerts had taken place the night before. Then we had a baby. And babies arise at the [...]
Tuesday night, I made a reasonable request. “Hugh, please clear the table and load the dishwasher.” (bracing for objection, hoping it wouldn’t come) “Why can’t Malcolm do it?” “Because Malcolm just finished emptying the dishwasher.” “He was only finishing the job I had started! I already did the top rack and the cutlery. I mean, come on, [...]
When a friend sent us this photo he snapped of Ian graduating on Friday, I was so grateful. Let’s just say I had a view of the back of his mortarboard. I’ll spare you the details of the chaotic hell-ride-in-the-rain to graduation that caused us not to be able to sit with my dad in the four [...]
After much hype and hoopla, Newsweek recently unveiled its NEW LOOK. After all the make-over buildup, I was expecting a fabulous layout and punchy graphics. While the outside still makes a fine coaster, the innerds are dowdier than ever. Articles and opinion pieces look like a collection of schlocky, badly-designed advertorials. The layout is as modern as 1966. A sea of [...]
After years of repetitions of Curious George, Roald Dahl titles and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle (all of which I loved), I miss reading aloud to our boys. Everyone is too old now, except 12-year-old Malcolm – on rare occasions. He’s currently rushing to finish The Hobbit before the end of school, and 40 pages of reading piled [...]
I’m participating in Fun Monday, which today poses the question “What part of your body – or your life – do you take care of the best?” The answer changes from time to time, but at this very moment, I’d have to say (warning, this is boring) our garden is in the best shape of [...]
