life
-
Too Many Notebooks and Not Enough Words
For as long as I can remember I have done what I call “writing in my head.” I would tell myself stories about the people around me, rehash conversations, write essays about things I was upset about or happy with, and generally narrate my life. Sometimes these “writings” would turn into actual writing in notebooks or on this blog but frequently they would just drift away with the day. A lot of this writing would happen at night as I lay in bed. All too often, I stayed awake late into the night to fine-tune something that would be just a hazy memory by morning. But that was fine. That…
-
Winter Plans
The days are dark and cold now. At least fifteen layers are required in order to spend an extended time outdoors. Soon the world will be covered in snow and ice. I’ll take it. Snow and ice are better than heat and humidity any day. However, even I agree that winter needs some fun to brighten the long stretches of cold. Here is my list of things to improve any winter. Hot chocolate preferably with marshmallows. Not the stuff from a packet but the good hot chocolate made with cocoa and sugar and a bit of time. Ideally, you will be drinking your hot chocolate in front of a roaring…
-
The End Of Summer
My kids went back to school yesterday. One is a senior in high school and the other is in seventh grade. The alarm went off at an ungodly hour to much moaning and groaning. There were frantic searches for keys and notebooks and complaints about the boring food available for lunch. There was one pair of jeans that were declared absolutely unwearable even though they had been fine the day before. Breakfast was eaten on the way out the door and, amazingly, the bus came on time. One kid went in late (sick) and then my house descended into blessed silence for the first time all summer. It was blissful.…
-
A Winter Walk
February is the month of grey days, too much snow, and endless cabin fever. All we really want is to see the world starting to turn green and the sun staying out a bit longer. Unfortunately, there is not a hint of green to be seen but we have had a few warmer than usual days. My daughter had the day off from school so we went for a quick walk on the bike trails near our house. You can still see the remnants of the eighteen inches of snow we had a couple of weeks ago but thankfully the trail is clear. Celia brought her scooter and ran circles…
-
Recipe For A Snow Day
Take one heaping serving of a surprise snowfall. Mix it in with the luxury of not having to go anywhere. Feel very slightly sorry for your children who only had a two hour delay instead of a cancellation. Ignore the fact that the snow is turning to rain. Insist on still calling it a snow day in your head. Rain day does not have the same ring. Add in a cup of tea. This is not the time for cups of tea that have been made and abandoned on the kitchen counter because you are too busy to drink them. Make a pot of tea. Use a pretty mug. Drink…
