Preparing for the Trip to Oregon: Keturah Belknap
Last year I posted several times about travel along the Oregon Trail in 1847, the year in which the novel I am working on takes place. (Click here and here for samples, or search this blog for “Oregon Trail.”) Several readers have asked what I’m going to do in 2013. My answer: The same thing. About […]
You Know Your Children Are Grown When . . . [Part II]
In an earlier post, I mentioned situations where I was confronted by the fact that my children are grown and independent. A family trip during this past Christmas season brought a few more such occasions to mind. You know your children are grown when . . . 1. They pick out thoughtful gifts for you […]
Gratitude for Readers and Other Bloggers (and additional awards for this blog!)
Many thanks to those of you who have written comments on my earlier posts or on Facebook, or jotted a note in your Christmas card to me, telling me you have enjoyed something I have written. I am humbled whenever I receive your feedback, because it is I who thank you for taking the time […]
Age Changes Our Perspective on Family Myths
I visited my parents over Christmas, and one day I walked past a picture in their home of my maternal grandfather (the grandfather who took many of the pictures I’ve featured on this blog). As a child, I thought of my grandfather as an old man. I saw him as a dour businessman, always wearing […]
Pear Pineapple Compote Recipe
Did you get too many pears for Christmas? They are a wonderful treat this time of year, but the abundance can be overwhelming. I think pears are best fresh, with a little cheese on the side. But here’s a tasty recipe to use them up before they go bad. Pear Pineapple Compote 3 ripe pears, […]
Did You Have a Memorable Holiday? Write About It
I hope your holiday celebrations have been filled with magic moments – moments you want to remember. Or moments when you realized a truth about yourself or a family member. Or even moments of sadness, when you felt a loss or remembered a happier time. If you had such moments this holiday season, take a […]
Playing Santa with Grandpa and Barbie
Only my father-in-law and I were at my in-laws’ house late on Christmas Eve 1984. All the Methodists in the family except Grandpa had gone to their midnight service, which began at 10:30pm. Early to bed, those Methodists. The three grandchildren – my nephew, niece, and son – were nestled in their beds. Finally. I […]
Learning to Ski
As winter approaches each year, I cringe. Will my family want to go skiing? It’s not that I can’t ski; it’s just that I don’t like to. At best, I am a spring skier – when the temperatures hover just above freezing and the sun shines, then skiing is tolerable. Otherwise, I’d rather be reading. […]
Innocence of Christmases Past
I wrote today’s post before the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday. As I upload the post now, I recognize in sorrow that many families in Newton, CT, will not be able to pose their children under the Christmas tree this year, nor in future years. All the children at Sandy Hook […]
Super-Jesus and the Season of Mystery
My family is an eclectic mix of Catholics, Protestants, agnostics, and skeptics. Most of the time we muddle along just fine, but on occasion things get a little jumbled. I wasn’t present when this incident occurred, so let’s just say it’s a mix of fact and fiction. Much like the story itself. I’ll let each […]