Late October, early evening. Who could refuse an invitation to a bonfire in the country? Off we go, toting our hot dogs, s’mores makings and camping chairs. The huge firepit sits in the middle of a deep green field surrounded by towering trees. Out in the west, the lowering sunlight slants through the grass, transforming … Read more
As the old song says, “Carry me back to Old Virginny”. Little by little, this state seems to be capturing my heart. Maybe it’s because my ancestors, the Ruckers, settled here in the late 1600’s. You’ve heard of Ruckersville? That’s my family. My branch emigrated to the ragged corner of the Pacific Northwest many long … Read more
IN THE ATTIC Reality hits. Our New Hampshire home of 44 years now belongs to strangers. Other lives will be lived within these familiar walls. Slowly, over the weeks, we dug out from under years of accumulation; we sorted, boxed, discarded, sold, donated, gifted. Hard, liberating work. Friends helped in so many ways. Then we … Read more
HOMECOMING What is it about this little house that enchants and embraces us? Like a treasure hidden in the deep recesses of Zillow, it reached out and grabbed me one chilly November morning. Before the day was over, our offer was waiting, and I was holding my breath. One look was all it took. It … Read more
THE ALLEN WRENCH AND ME When you are raised in a household that is unrelentingly female, there is a lot that you never experience. I could talk of masculine mysteries endlessly, mysteries that are still being revealed to me after all these years. It’s always an adventure. Early on, I learned that there are people … Read more
STUYVESANT STREET IT’S A SMALL THING IN THE LIGHT OF WORLD HUNGER, BUT I HAVE ALWAYS LONGED TO LIVE ON A STREET WITH A POETIC AND EVOCATIVE NAME. I GREW UP ON ALDERWOOD AVENUE. NOT SUCH A BAD NAME, ESPECIALLY WITH MT. BAKER MAJESTICALLY POISED AT ONE END, GLOWING PINK IN THE EVENING LIGHT. BUT … Read more
Have you met her? She might be living in your neighborhood, that is if you can spot a little brown upside down house in a tangly garden, swarming with children. Many years ago, 77 years ago to be exact, a gifted author by the name of Betty MacDonald penned this endearing little book. Was it … Read more
It takes me a minute to recognize her. Every trace of her bright blonde hair has been robbed by the chemo. Still, the smile is the same smile. And those round, sky blue eyes. “Hi, I’m Diane”, she says, just in case one of us might not remember. She joins this little gaggle of old … Read more
We’ve all heard them. We’ve all accepted them as norma“I’m honing in on my college choices”.“Let’s hone in on vacation plans”. “He honed in on the most suitable dog breed for his lifestyle”. Etc., etc., etc. What was probably intended was “homing in”, focusing in, more than “honing in”, which more accurately indicates sharpening or … Read more
“What’s on your mind?” asks Facebook. Well, other than shopping, baking, wrapping, etc., it’s a favorite scripture verse from Isaiah 9 which seems all too appropriate this year. Most of us know the second part from Handel’s Messiah, but may have missed the leadin to it. So here it is: Every warrior’s boot used in … Read more