Today is Doug’s birthday. Since he chose not to have a funeral, I've wanted to write a few words about him, though I've struggled with this for weeks. At the last minute, this is all I can say… This week I’ve been hanging pictures and family photos. We hadn’t been able to do that before …
the days of firsts and lasts…
About a month ago my elderly washing machine pooped out. Two previous repair visits yielded no remedy. But I'm told the repairman will be here "soon" with the needed part. So for the first time in years I've become a regular at a laundromat, next town over, 20 miles away. Laundromats have seriously upgraded. This …
gifts of memory
I am an old woman with a trunk filled with dolls. I thought I would save them for a daughter, but gave birth to four sons. Then I thought I'd save them for a granddaughter. But when the hub bub of family arrives, this trunk, stuffed in the attic, is not remembered. What is remembered, …
moving forward
I picked a doozy of a word. It's not even a practice I normally participate in. But while looking for inspiration in a magazine last January, the word kept appearing. So I reasoned, "forward" must be my word for 2020. Yes! Forward it is! And then... Political upheaval and impeachment happened. My mom died in …
follow the pattern
A couple of weeks ago, Doug and I drove 2 hours north to meet the prospective buyer of our boat. We arrived early to make sure it was clean. It's amazing how dusty and dirty a boat can get floating all alone in a marina. As I sat on the comfortable seat cushions, I saw …
my pandemical perspective
March 2020 - I went to the post office most days. I was careful to disinfect my hands, car door handle and steering wheel in case coronavirus hitched a ride home with me. I searched in vain for toilet paper. Ordered a case of 80 rolls from Staples. Watched the White House task force meetings, …
making peace with my house
When Doug and I first moved to this house, it was to care for his mom who was deep in a battle with dementia. She was combative and angry. I spent my days trying to keep her safe and myself sane. I spent my nights listening to her sing and wander thru …
Jesus in a “to go” cup
August 30, 2020, our little country church, opened it's doors for in person worship. It was the first time since the advent of coronavirus shut downs. I was excited and went knowing it would be different. It was different. And odd, and a little uncomfortable. We sat socially distanced, of course. Hugs didn't happen. We …
waiting
The week before Mother's Day, I wrote a few words on Facebook and posted several pictures of my mom. I planned to write an appropriate blog post on that Sunday, to share some special things about her. I wanted to wrap up this segment of life and move on. I couldn't do it. And that's …
consistency
In early 2015, my son, David, had to return to Iraq with his unit in support of Kurdish troops. Since he'd started the retirement paperwork process, I thought that exempted him. It didn't. He went. With the exception of combat deployments, David called Doug and I every Sunday evening for all 21 years he served. …
Heart's Home 