My little six-year-old darling was picking up trash off the school grounds with her Daisy Scout troop this afternoon when she came upon a $20 bill. It was a cause for much celebration and excitement. She was the heroine of her little group. And then I made her turn it in to the office on the off chance that someone comes in asking about it. We didn’t even discuss it. […]
Just had this conversation: The Boy: Do you think when I run the timed mile that I should wear boots? Me: Why would you wear boots? TB: Like the army men do. Me: They wear combat boots, not cowboy boots. TB: What are combat boots? Me: They lace up. TB: One of the kids in my class, his mom is in … what’s that thing called that’s like the army […]
While we were in Fredericksburg last weekend on our journey to see the wildflowers, my little family stopped in at the National Museum of the Pacific War. Back in the middle ’90s, when it was called the Nimitz Museum, The Big M and I had gone there and poked around in what was little more than a giant shed housing broken down planes and guns from World War II. It […]
Twenty-three years ago I sent an ancient, tattered, paperback copy of Gone With the Wind flying across my bedroom in a fit of rage, taking satisfaction as it thunked off the wall and landed on teal shag carpet, its red-edged pages askew. I was so mad at Margaret Mitchell. How dare she keep Scarlett and Rhett apart when they were so perfect for each other? What the hell kind of […]
We were out in the Hill Country this weekend, enjoying the beautiful wildflowers and panoramic scenery. This is the best shot I got. The bluebonnets flow in rivers out there. I’m lousy with a camera, but someone who is not posted pictures taken Saturday from the same loop, and I feel compelled to link them so you get a glimpse of how beautiful the Hill Country is right now. I’d […]
Since finishing the library build, I’ve been not particularly interested in taking on yet another home improvement project. But then my sister turned me on to this incredibly cool blog called Knock-Off Wood that got me thinking again. I’ve always had a dream of building my own furniture, and Ana is inspiring me to try something. Ana’s blog led me to Remodelaholic and another new favorite, Better After. Both contain […]
Somewhere close to 60 years ago my grandmother planted these “champagne” irises. They’ve survived droughts, freezes, and then 18 years of neglect after she died. More recently they survived being dug up and moved to my house. I’ve been watching them, anticipating the day they would burst forth. Today was a perfect spring day. I brought Augustine’s Confessions outside to read after it got too sunny to keep weeding. A […]
My book club recently discussed Kathryn Stockett’s debut novel about three women from Jackson, Mississippi who find themselves unexpected players in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s. It’s a page-turner, and an entertaining read that led to a discussion of how people seek to right a societal wrong — and what a person of 2010 sensibilities would do if she found herself back in the ’60s. On that note, […]
For those of you who have been following baby David’s story, I wanted to let you know that he is home with his parents and siblings. I saw him yesterday, and he looked very well, all things considered. His mom says that although he still has many future surgeries, he’s healing much better now that he’s back with his family again. He shows a great deal of strength and determination. […]
I loved Beverly Cleary when I was a kid. So I was thrilled when The Boy finally started reading her books. Until a few weeks ago… Him: At school we’re reading about Ramona and Bee-ZEUS! Me: Ramona and who? Him: Bee-ZEUS, her big sister. Me: Her name is BEE-zus. Him: No it’s not. It’s Bee-ZEUS. Me: Buddy, you’re thinking of the wrong god. Her name rhymes with “Jesus.” Him: Everyone […]
Flabby Brain 