Short stories and photos shared with humor and love
My second favorite Christmas tree has hit a rough patch. A handful of messages alerted me to its struggles. “Have you seen the tree in City Park?” my friend Jeannie texted. “Looks like the wind got the better of it. We will have to go down there and string up lights.” Naturally, I popped downtown [...]
Twenty years after I procrastinated ordering my Christmas card and thus became the world's most ardent Groundhog Day fan, I got to see a live ceremony. It's hard to say who was more excited about the whole deal, me or Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo. With his thick New Jersey accent, Joe D. introduced Lady [...]
Holiday time moves gently anyway. Blur-edged days roll past, unobstructed by tasks, just the quick shake of a Monopoly dice or the studied placement of a puzzle piece. Maybe you mine the leftovers for a little afternoon snack, order takeout or convince someone to make their famous popcorn for dinner and a movie. You could [...]
The first little bird is back in our nest and she came bearing her own seeds. My youngest daughter Molly came home for Thanksgiving. She walked in the door with an armful of Mason jars full of goodies she’s collected from the apparently prolific University of Iowa campus. The loot included homemade wild plum preserves, [...]
Along with its gorgeous colors and fresh, crisp air, October ushers in a season of magic and generosity. Pumpkins become jack-o’-lanterns and then crunchy movie snacks. Neighborhoods host lively, chattering bunches of children, encouraged to taunt in the sweetest, most polite way. Black cats spiffy up their fur and walk with pride and winking whiskers. [...]