Because it saves energy. This is the usual reason, though I give it only a cursory nod. Because sunlight on your face first thing in the morning is always a cause for joy. Because if you didn’t scrub a stain adequately and find it persisted through washing, you have another chance at it next week. […]
Why line-dry laundry? Read More »
Introducing our new goat, Little Sal Mark 2. She’s four days old and darling! I’m no believer in reincarnation, just relieved out of my wits that she looks nearly identical to the one we lost so painfully last year. I feel like I have my pet back. And I still love bottle feeding. We would’ve
Confession: I’m so happy to have my son Aarick home from school for the summer; it means some super hired help. [evil chuckle] Let the games chores begin. Really though, I’m grateful for more reasons than that. I find it delightful having a son old enough to crack jokes, carry on near-adult conversations, and work
I’ll sing you a song A song of a mother A song of a mother who couldn’t. Her name was Barb. For seven years she yearned for a child, prayed and agonized and beat on heaven’s door. WHY CAN’T I HAVE ONE, ONE OF MY OWN? He gave her seven, and the second she named
Song of an average mother Read More »
Confession: Though I am quixotic enough to dream of intimate tea parties on the lawn, complete with parasols and petit fours, in the meantime this is how I do time with friends— Hey. Any chance you wanna stay for lunch when we do that photoshoot? I’ll make egg sandwiches and iced coffee. Yes! you can
Newsflash: My Current Reading page has fresh suggestions for your edification and amusement. ***** Observations After Watching Turkey Courtship in my Backyard The males are kind of cute when they show off. Cute in a bombastic sort of way. The females are either Extremely smart, or Extremely dumb. While Mr. Tom was strutting his stuff
Confession: You know you’re running behind When you dial the library to ask how many books Exactly Are still overdue After the boatload you sunk in their drop-slot this afternoon? And there are eight, And eight dollars and eighty cents worth of fines. You know you’re running behind When the kids say Mom, hide
Boatloads and behinds Read More »
Please meet our new puppy, Penny. She looks to me like one part beagle, one part spaniel, and one part UFO. We are overcome. Completely overcome. What do you like about April?
The tenth best thing about April Read More »
Confession: I’m a big fan of recycling, but selfish enough to insist that the process not be too laborious and complicated. When I have to start rinsing, sorting, and removing labels, I–well, I’m still a big fan in theory, willing myself to duty but growing inadvertently drafty. My town of Meadville makes it easy—accepting clear and colored
Advice on spring cleaning: Do not attempt, if you can help it. In many ways it is a severe waste of time and energy. But if your fingers, like mine, start itching to turn the house upside down about the time the robins return, here is some counsel. (Free of charge. One size fits all.
Dirt and dust bunnies Read More »