A stressful day, The weather foul, My mood not much better. I walk into my old house, Creaking floors and crooked everything; Gentle eyes and a wagging tail greet me, the flash of a crazy cat streaking by in her own greeting. My husband has left the Christmas lights on, the beautiful tree filled with … More Rain
Dan and I ventured out into the craziness of holiday traffic this morning, heading to Best Buy to pick up his computer from the repair shop and to take a quick peek at Christmas sales. We don’t do Christmas gifts per say since we lost our moms, but focus more on quality time with each … More A Little Holiday Tale
‘Twas the week after Christmas and all through the hood, We all felt so fat but the food was so good. The stockings that hung from the chimney with care, Are all that fit me now that won’t tear. And what to my wondering eyes did appear, but my scale must be broken…if not, oh, … More ‘Twas the Week After Christmas
Since our mothers are no longer with us, Dan and I have been gradually changing the way we celebrate Christmas over the past few years. With the stress of my career ramping up and my busiest semester yet just completed, we chose to hole up at home on our own and create new and meaningful … More On New Christmas Traditions and Grand Theft Rosemary
My eyes pop open in the darkness of pre-dawn, a primal timer set in my brain, one that began in my childhood, or perhaps in my genes. Even after all these years there is a magic to Christmas morning, the air crackles with it and I feel the ripples in time open to me as … More On Christmas Morning
Today was the day; I’d promised myself that I’d go to Princeton Towers- aka ‘The Home for Wayward Seniors’- the place where my mother so happily spent the last two years of her life. Each Christmas, Mom’s favorite holiday, I make a point of visiting her friends and bringing them some cookies and a bit … More Christmas Cheer at the Home for Wayward Seniors
I’ll just be honest and say it; today was not a good day. Normally my Poppins-self would be all about ‘any day that you’re alive is a good day!’ and ‘every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day!’ and platitudes such as that, and tomorrow I’m sure I’ll be right … More On Do-Overs and Imperfect Holidays
We were so excited to have a visit from Brenda of Two by Two Animal Rescue today, the woman who we adopted our sweet husky mix, Marley, from last April. Brenda and I have stayed in touch on Facebook, but I was so happy to see her again in person and for Marley to get … More The Twelve-ish Ornaments of Christmas No. 2: The Gift of Animals and Good Humans
I wasn’t expecting the rush of emotion, but the wave of grief crashed over me and tears stung my eyes. Dan and I had gone to our favorite antique shop to wander around as the Christmas music danced through the air. Suddenly, I missed my mother so much that I couldn’t breathe and I wanted … More On Holidays and Tender Hearts: When Grief Calls
Our Christmas tree holds the stories of our lives in many ways, With many of the ornaments having special meaning to us. Dan suggested that I tell some stories connected to the most meaningful ornaments in the days preceding Christmas, wise and wonderfully sentimental soul that he is- a writing prompt that I gladly embraced. … More The Twelve-ish Ornaments of Christmas: A Mother’s Gift
The View from Here 