tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227395152011-11-30T10:25:16.898-05:00Nothing fancy, just some plain talk about life in general and me in particular. Empty nests, clawfoot bathtubs, parking-lot trysts, unusual birthday gifts, accordion gigs in NYC. Come listen to the music!The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.comBlogger2161100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-24434440833927183372011-11-02T09:14:00.016-04:002011-11-02T12:48:49.438-04:00

This past summer I took Sophie on a road trip to my hometown, Philadelphia. While there, she got to see where her mom and uncle grew up, learned to play pool, enjoyed a cheese-steak hoagie, took a train into Center City, and cruised South Street. She had a choice of museums and chose the Mutter, much to my astonishment. Forget the walk-through artifical heart at the Franklin Institute. This kid

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-33473775653004829412011-05-30T12:33:00.005-04:002011-05-30T12:42:51.257-04:00

When Johnny comes marching home again,Hurrah, hurrah!We'll give him a hearty welcome then,Hurrah, hurrah!The men will cheer, the boys will shout,The ladies they will all turn out,And we'll all feel gay,When Johnny comes marching home.The old church bell will peal with joy,Hurrah, hurrah!To welcome home our darling boy,Hurrah, hurrah!The village lads and lassies say,With roses they will strew the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-22006037276375763422011-04-19T21:14:00.009-04:002011-04-19T22:28:33.754-04:00

Sophie celebrated her tenth birthday today. My oldest granddaughter went to have her hair cut and streaked (blue) with her momma. I spent the afternoon with little sister, Hannah, who graciously allowed the older sibling to spend some quality time alone with their mater. The girls had just spent the weekend in Boston with their dad and had driven back this morning. Both were wilting by the end of

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-15847318652776145672011-03-09T22:12:00.010-05:002011-04-18T13:52:24.811-04:00

Another cold, blustery day. Knock on the door. My neighbor's car won't start. He thinks his battery needs a jump. I throw my coat on and trudge out onto the seemingly perpetual ground cover of crunchy ice, snow, and gravel which comprises our apartment parking lot. It's been a brutal winter and all of us are just about keeping up. Dead batteries only add to the misery. Last night we had a blast

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-72609459976906820652011-01-23T07:24:00.003-05:002011-01-23T08:08:10.338-05:00

Who knows? If we keep practicing, we may take our act on the road ...

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-37901668821396699112011-01-22T18:04:00.005-05:002011-01-22T18:46:08.415-05:00

Had Sophie for another sleepover and, finally, we got to make some inter-generational music together!I never heard this song before but Sophie introduced me to it today. Irving Berlin. Possibly WWII vintage. My accordion may have drowned out some of the words while Sophie was singing, so I will post them here as the message is timeless, no matter which generation we're a part of ..."It's A Lovely

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-80275624727192835892011-01-18T10:46:00.004-05:002011-01-18T11:41:19.730-05:00

It's been almost a year since Sophie started vocal lessons. She loves to sing and the lessons have helped her grow in confidence. Last spring she surprised us all by signing up for her school's talent show. Sophie, Little Miss Introvert, performing in front of her peers and teachers! True grit. This past year, as her parents' divorce became final, she has grown in so many ways. Taller, sharper

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-65818550172405902332011-01-17T20:58:00.007-05:002011-01-18T10:46:09.703-05:00

There was a lot of activity at my daughter's house this past weekend. Jenn's friends drove in from Syracuse to build a surprise loft bed for Sophie. The husband, Zeke, is a master craftsman, teaches woodworking to college students. In a two-day period, he managed to create the most amazing bed and free up much needed space beneath for shelves, hooks, a dollhouse and reading nook. Sophie's very

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-67650996587830601202010-12-15T22:01:00.013-05:002011-01-18T11:49:28.319-05:00

There are moments in my life when I catch a glimpse of something fleeting, something good which hints at hope and endurance. One such moment happened this past week. Daughter Jenn appeared on my doorstep, Santa hat in hand and a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Mom, a blogger friend of mine, Neil Kramer, is hosting his annual blog-community holiday celebration online and he wants us to

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-7162321471220804702010-05-12T10:09:00.003-04:002010-05-12T11:22:49.551-04:00

I've taken the plunge. After quite a long hiatus, I'm back into the intriguing, amusing, and frustrating world of online dating. It's only been a few weeks but I've already been "quivered" and flirted with by men: a) looking for a mother or grandmother figure. Singlebiker is 29 but "prefers older women". Honey, I could have been changing your diapers; b) Mysteryman is 49 and thinks I'm hot. I

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-32980597433101158302010-03-08T20:45:00.007-05:002010-03-08T23:44:10.572-05:00

My social network has shrunk since moving up here to be closer to my daughter and her children. This is no one's fault but mine as I have focused mostly on the unexpected transitions occurring within the past couple years, changes which were not part of the future I had planned when I chose to leave job, hometown, and lifelong friends. The cup was supposed to be half full. I even dreamed of an

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-81630327228135473912010-01-12T21:49:00.005-05:002010-01-12T23:11:43.822-05:00

Sophie loves to sing. Since she was a toddler, she would delight us with her sweet voice. As she got older, the once familiar nursery-rhyme songs turned not only to show tunes and pop music but also to original, lyrical creations of her own. I love that she finds joy in making music. I started my own music lessons at the age of eight. Now that she was the same age, what better Christmas present

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-57733643145239489462009-12-31T13:05:00.003-05:002009-12-31T13:39:52.293-05:00

Ten years ago, I was ... selling a house which was a home for thirty years ... finalizing a divorce while celebrating my daughter's marriage ... anticipating becoming a grandmother for the very first time ... working full time as a college administrator and advisor ... surrounded by a network of family and friends ... twenty-five pounds lighter ... moving into my very first apartment ... starting

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-69615012618878423182009-12-09T16:59:00.004-05:002009-12-09T17:39:08.152-05:00

We had looked in several stores already, hand in hand as we searched for the perfect dress for Sophie's holiday concert. I use the term 'holiday' loosely. Sadly, this year's songs had little to do with the religious traditions of the season. Certain parents had objected to the idea of actually singing carols and folk songs so the school played it safe and chose songs about the environment,

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-33792942750379090692009-08-18T15:36:00.009-04:002010-04-23T11:53:56.271-04:00

This has been a whirlwind of a summer and I'm so overdue here. Let me share a rundown ... The month of July brought: unemployment, birthday-gift trip to Vancouver BC (tour of a television set, hobnobbing with the cast and production crew of Sanctuary), the official "Mattern Cousin Reunion" with the Pacific Northwest Matterns descending on us here in the Berkshires, followed by a three-day August

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-3392753044292621702009-07-03T17:35:00.006-04:002009-07-04T13:32:16.573-04:00

It had to happen. And today was a perfect day to make it happen.My daughter has been taking the heat all week for an article she had published in the Boston Globe. Writing in her usual humorous and self-deprecatory style, Jenn related how she and her two little girls handle the everyday occurrences of living in a very small house and how they often share moments of nudity (and hilarity). The

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-58320254998188478382009-06-22T22:02:00.005-04:002009-06-22T22:26:57.258-04:00

To my daughter on her birthday, a poem by David Whyte from The House of Belonging.... one small thingI've learned these years,how to be alone,and at the edge of alonenesshow to be found by the world.Innocence is what we allowto be gifted back to usonce we've given ourselves away.There is one world only,the one to which we gave ourselvesutterly, and to which one daywe are blessed to return.I love

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-55174966959429970002009-05-10T08:25:00.012-04:002009-05-10T13:34:14.158-04:00

Twice in my life, I became a mother. I was not ready, at first, for the tremendous responsibility of holding that tiny newborn and trying to calm her cries, giving her what she needed. Those first few weeks were a blur of anxiety and apprehension. Am I doing it right? The it, of course, being motherhood. My mother only smiled back at me, wisely and mysteriously. She knew what I had yet to learn,

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-40715262063749747032009-05-01T08:13:00.008-04:002009-05-01T09:10:18.168-04:00

I usually write positive things but this seems the perfect day to release some bad news at the micro level. My job is 'being eliminated' on July 1. My boss told me the same afternoon I found out that I have some dental problems. The dental problems have turned into three surgical procedures. No dental plan. Small amount of savings as a nest egg for the unemployment will now be re-directed to the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-90144744513045517662009-04-20T16:31:00.008-04:002009-04-20T20:38:09.876-04:00

"I'm glad you moved here, Babci."It was spoken softly by the little dark-haired girl descending my staircase. I was in back of her and almost missed the spontaneous words. Sophie's sincerity caught me by surprise."Sophie, I'm glad I moved up here too, to watch you and Hannah grow.""You would have missed a lot.""I know." Oh, dear heart, I know. Believe me, I know."Thank you, Babci, for having me

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-384906384895831472009-04-05T17:11:00.006-04:002009-04-05T18:26:36.692-04:00

March has suddenly morphed into early April and still the cold lingers. Sophie spent another delightful weekend sleepover and we raced to the car last night while blowing snow tickled our faces. At least Easter will be arriving soon with its message of renewal and redemption. I think I need both. I've been a bad girl.Sophie and Hannah and their mommy had treated me to dinner out a few weeks ago

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-7028744525974872682009-03-30T20:47:00.016-04:002009-05-02T08:03:42.891-04:00

My mom was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Greenfield is less than an hour away from where I, my daughter and granddaughters now live. I find this quite amazing considering that all our family stories are set in Philadelphia.Just why Mom was born in New England remains a family mystery. Philadelphia was where she and her folks set down roots, where I was to grow up. Perhaps my granddad (who

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-36611953608893441902009-03-15T08:43:00.010-04:002009-03-15T09:50:20.464-04:00

Yes, today's the day. My Medicare card is on its way. I am turning the big "65" and have very mixed feelings about this whole getting older thing. At 60, I felt much more svelte, alive and adventurous. A lot has changed these past swift five years. Some good. Some not so good. Life happens, eh? I am working again, full time. Retirement seems farther away than ever now that the Ponzi schemers on

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-28269199359981196002009-03-02T19:30:00.002-05:002009-03-02T19:51:43.540-05:00

You turn six todaySweet sunny child of my sonPisces just like meYour blonde hair, shy smileMake me smile back in returnEven if aloneLooking at your faceIn a picture in my handWishing you were nearLiv, my golden girlSo far away, so specialSix and then, sixteenI want to stop timeHold your childhood days in checkBut you bounce aheadGolden curls, gigglesMusic, dolls, pretty dressesSuch a fair

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-63846887360213855852009-01-29T22:26:00.009-05:002009-01-31T19:14:01.358-05:00

I met a man tonight. In a restaurant. He offered to pay my bill. It's the same restaurant I've blogged about before, nothing fancy or exotic. I love their beer-battered scallops. How can a place in the mountains serve such great scallops? Better than the Jersey shore.So, here I am, first arrival of the dinner crowd. I have my pick of the place and choose one of my favorite booths - the one in the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-84991584170964722692008-12-29T09:58:00.019-05:002008-12-31T21:36:27.004-05:00

Christmas has been filled with unexpected surprises. I stayed at Jenn's for most of the week, helping where I could. In fact, I made pancake breakfast after Santa arrived (thanks, Peg and Don for the pancake mix) and then made a roast beef while Jenn, David, and the girls enjoyed the many presents under the tree. Besides Santa's delivery, many of Jenn's readers sent or brought gifts of every

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-34182412272809965132008-12-23T21:06:00.007-05:002008-12-31T22:06:33.751-05:00

I came across this photo at a National Geographic website. It reminds me of how life has changed this past year for Jenn and me. There's a 500-pound polar bear in the room which can no longer be ignored. Jenn's illness and her ensuing struggle has called out the best in people, faithful readers of her blog who have shown they care in so many ways. And, of course, there are the girls who are

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-74626069775567170662008-11-30T21:55:00.017-05:002008-12-01T06:55:16.537-05:00

She's almost eight years old. Next Christmas, Sophie may not want to sit on Santa's lap and tell him, wholeheartedly, that she'd really like an American Girl named Molly. Santa told her that he would take the request up with Mrs. Claus who is in charge of dolls.Black Friday had consumers scrambling around for bargains. I scrambled, instead, to scoop up Sophie and Hannah and drive to a Christmas

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-32811820282491323442008-11-28T10:58:00.015-05:002009-05-09T12:08:17.259-04:00

I climbed a mountain once. When the group leader asked why I wanted to climb the mountain, nothing profound came to mind. I merely stammered "to twirl on the top like Julie Andrews in 'The Sound of Music'." It was the best I could offer. It was honest.Climbing that mountain (known as Indefatigable in the Canadian Rockies) was one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life. It was also one

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-24400457565147420162008-11-16T22:58:00.008-05:002008-11-16T23:37:23.597-05:00

Today was Hannah's fifth birthday. She got up early, dressed herself for her party, made her bed and gaily exclaimed, "Oh, Babci, it's going to be an exciting day!"She had a joint party with her girlfriend, Zoe, who was born same day, a few hours apart at the same hospital in Vermont. They now attend school together. David sewed "royal skirts" for all the attendees and Jenn told improvised fairy

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-42148754383813852562008-11-02T20:30:00.012-05:002008-11-02T22:14:50.420-05:00

I bought the new DVD, Tinkerbell, this week because I know both girls love their fairy stories. Hannah and I hung out on Saturday and she got to watch it first. She has loved Tinkerbell since she was a toddler. I have to admit that the sassy and spunky Tink definitely has something in common with our Hattie Belle.Sophie had spent the afternoon on a play date seeing a live presentation of Beauty

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-38398470984759667312008-10-26T19:58:00.012-04:002008-10-26T23:35:56.310-04:00

It's just another day at the new gym. I try hard to look like I know what I'm doing as I make the rounds of the fitness machines and adjust the different weights, knobs, seats and handles. I really like this part of the workout much better than shaking my booty on the treadmill or elliptical. There's more to anticipate: flexing my pecs, stretching my back, curling my legs, crunching my abs,

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-45193268821856199782008-10-24T22:37:00.009-04:002008-10-24T23:57:33.533-04:00

It's been a busy week at school and TGIF. I decide to stop at a local eatery instead of making my own dinner tonight. I like this place. It's small and cozy, nothing fancy, and the waitresses remind me of the hometown diners in Philly. Sometimes I do get homesick, especially this weekend with the Phillies being in the World Series and all. I settle into one of the back booths, feeling a bit

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-79049492606765234992008-10-18T11:15:00.012-04:002008-10-20T20:06:36.319-04:00

“Mom, come over. We have company.” A simple invitation. I had already changed into my robe and pajamas, looking forward to just tuning out and going to bed early. Yet, an old friend, the mother of Jenn’s friend, Ali, was in town for Grandparents’ Day and now at my daughter’s house with her clan. We had already caught up with each other over lunch at our grandkids’ school. A lot of family

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-44084724857791450702008-10-14T22:44:00.008-04:002008-10-15T19:06:06.100-04:00

Sophie and I had a date tonight. A few months ago, I won a silent auction for a music lesson with a local professor. I bid on it because I thought Sophie might like the experience. She was eager to go when I picked her up after school. The college is only minutes away. As we walked across the leafy campus, Sophie exclaimed, "I bet I'm the first seven-year-old to go to college!" I laughed and

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-41483035422450527472008-10-09T23:04:00.004-04:002008-10-09T23:29:03.082-04:00

I lost it. A few years ago, I used to love going to a gym and doing cardio and strength training ... until I hurt my back and had an MRI and was told that I had some lower-back stuff going on. I actually went to physical therapy for awhile and did some maintenance work but never got back into a regular routine. Then I had a rotator-cuff injury two summers ago and did PT again, worked the soreness

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-86489983955645652492008-09-27T15:25:00.032-04:002009-05-09T13:29:33.391-04:00

I like strong women characters and don't think there are enough of them on TV or in the movies. My favorite was Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in The Avengers. Ah, yes, Mrs. Peel was a phenom in the '60s - smart, witty, and lethal in leather. The unresolved sexual tension between her and John Steed played well. After Diana left the series, it just wasn't the same. Who would have thought that forty

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-13003718546579264022008-09-14T00:09:00.004-04:002008-09-14T00:23:30.181-04:00

It seems that little Iris would rather vacuum than play with her toys. I hope Joe and Katie can harness all that positive energy when she's a teenager and they want her to clean her room.

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-48930068058050745182008-09-10T14:34:00.007-04:002008-09-10T22:08:11.389-04:00

When do your children begin to remind you of your parents? When do you look at the man your son has become and catch a glimpse of your father? Hear your mother's laugh ringing out again in your daughter's amused voice?I adore my kids. That's pretty obvious, I'm sure, from some of my posts. This summer, all together in the same place, I got to watch them with kids of their own. What surprised me

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-57098929245719833662008-08-26T20:16:00.013-04:002008-08-26T21:30:18.028-04:00

How did I forget to mention "the mother of all ice-cream sundaes"? Ben kept talking about the local drugstore and their famous banana split. Finally, after fairly good behavior on the part of the munchkins, we ended our stay with a feast of gigantic proportions. A mountain of ice cream. The kids were in ice-cream heaven and the waitress, a grandma herself, was thrilled to serve up two of these

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-58924596420660629062008-08-25T20:29:00.013-04:002008-09-10T22:05:29.388-04:00

We all scream for ice cream. The summer is passing much too quickly. School started today and I just returned from an education conference in Providence.Providence. The protective care of God or of nature. Our family reunion in Washington state this past summer brought strawberries and ice cream treats, simple delights made even more enjoyable by each other's company. Sometimes, it's best to

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-46385625336906992802008-08-03T21:45:00.010-04:002008-08-04T15:42:53.723-04:00

Oh yeah, I know I'm taking a risk with this title. I'll probably gain some new viewers who read it too quickly and are looking for something, er, more exotic. I hate to disappoint, but this is hoofing, as in dancing … as in tap dancing.A colleague at work asked if I wanted to take a free dance lesson this weekend. "Yeah, it sounds like fun!" This popped out of my mouth quite spontaneously and

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-11902427676331934172008-08-02T13:11:00.027-04:002008-08-04T07:48:39.252-04:00

As I'm sifting through the hundreds of vacation pictures for suitable blog fodder, I come across this one and it stops me in my tracks ... just an unguarded moment of affection as Ben plays Nintendo while Sophie reaches out to stroke his ear. Sophie and Ben are the firstborns of the family, first cousins destined to share that demanding role. They were told repeatedly by respective parents during

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-23060074633340935492008-07-27T12:25:00.022-04:002008-07-27T16:25:33.395-04:00

Ingredients: one family, sunny day, strawberry field, plastic containers.Turning the kids loose in a field full of strawberries was a fun way to fill a summer's day. The idea was to pick as many of the farmer's strawberries, pay by weight, return home and bake some pies. The strawberries were not to be eaten until the containers were weighed. The reality was that little Iris, Ben, and Sophie

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-7878615862616892452008-07-25T18:27:00.022-04:002008-07-27T15:42:08.298-04:00

catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_EsABVJ8GsB4/SIpUBYf1xEI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/94etlegyuCA/s1600-h/IMG_1212_2.JPG">Back home again, still unpacking. Everything was special about this vacation but probably the most gratifying part was having all five grandchildren in the same place at the same time for the very first time. Thank goodness for digital cameras and memory cards. Pictures were taken as

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-17879442688993172472008-07-17T16:05:00.010-04:002008-07-18T00:58:18.119-04:00

Yes, if you've been reading my daughter's blog, you know we are all doing The Waltons thing at my son's house on the Olympic Peninsula. Vacation. Two weeks. Five kids. One dog. Four adults. Bring it on.In order to get here, we had to drive across the state of Massachusetts, give or take three hours and tunnel traffic. I had never driven through Boston before but Jenn was a good navigator and

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-64205598418650250842008-07-04T19:47:00.022-04:002008-07-05T22:31:23.590-04:00

The girls are with their daddy for the holiday weekend. I didn’t expect to see them so was quite surprised when Jenn arrived with Sophie and Hannah at my door this morning. Sophie had her shiny patent-leather shoes on and was beaming with delight. “I’m going to march in the parade, Babci. Will you come and see? I get to give cookies out to the crowd.”David has been working on a puppetry

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-51803455832416033192008-06-25T07:08:00.009-04:002008-06-25T20:24:03.539-04:00

The accordion. A much maligned instrument. In working-class Philly in the '50s, however, it was the affordable introduction to the world of music. I learned music theory and dexterity on the keyboard by playing Clarinet Polka and zillions of Polish folk dances in small books with pictures of men in handlebar moustaches on the covers. Polkas and obereks had plenty of sixteenth and thirty-second

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-57972053714880332582008-05-18T11:33:00.015-04:002008-05-18T14:04:54.672-04:00

Do you remember the childhood fun of your first carnival or amusement park? I drive past the site of our town's annual "carni" and see that this is the weekend for some playtime for me and the grandkids. Luckily, a rainy Friday turns into a clear, sunny Saturday and I pick up a very excited Sophie and Hannah, ready to explore the booths and rides while their mommy has a few peaceful hours to

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-65524173068594401632008-04-23T19:50:00.007-04:002008-04-30T16:14:51.859-04:00

I was invited over to Jenn and David's the other night after work, an impromptu email from David announcing that Sophie was holding a bake sale for the local humane society. By the time I arrived, the sidewalk table was bare but the hand-drawn sign (which included drawings of a dog or two in Sophie's inimitable style) pitched slices of fresh banana bread at 25 cents apiece. The girls were home on

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-78547037686375814712008-04-19T20:56:00.008-04:002008-05-17T10:17:12.475-04:00

My first granddaughter turned seven today. There was a garden party ... sundresses, giggling girlfriends, arts and crafts, music for dancing, and a mom and dad who worked hard to make their little girl's day memorable and fun. It was. May all your wishes come true, Sophie. And may you be surrounded by forever friends, forever.Love, Babci xxoo

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-41253916323563652192008-04-12T21:40:00.002-04:002008-04-12T21:50:12.571-04:00

but in case your momma does email you, you must check out this website which one of Jenn's readers posted at her blog. It is side-splitting funny and really makes me feel quite normal. Whatever that is.

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-10470042852588800152008-04-11T21:38:00.010-04:002008-04-12T07:16:42.654-04:00

A girl and her doll. Not long ago, I took Sophie to an American Girl musical production at a theater in a nearby town. The night before, a mommy-friend of Jenn and David's dropped by their house and presented Sophie with a matching outfit for her and Kaya, her American Girl doll. This was a spontaneous act of kindness. The mom was shopping and saw the dresses, knew that I was taking Sophie to the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-45918194831897916672008-04-08T18:59:00.011-04:002008-04-08T19:19:13.230-04:00

This is Ben, my only grandson. He's seven years old. His dad just sent me some photos that Ben took all by himself while they were hiking. Joe gave him the digital camera and told Ben to point and shoot. Obviously Ben did much more than that. These photos show that the kid has quite an eye for design and perspective. His daddy loves photography too and I can imagine the guys putting on a

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-76491108782370561802008-04-07T21:11:00.013-04:002008-04-07T22:28:58.475-04:00

Is all I want, really. I've not been leading a healthy life style lately. You noticed? Shoveling is my version of aerobic exercise. I huff and puff when I walk up the hill to Jenn's and this past week I have some chest discomfort when walking a flat bike path with a co-worker. She, a straight-shooter, casually looks at me and says "you probably have a blocked artery". We part company at the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-11079334111709077552008-03-29T12:06:00.005-04:002008-03-29T13:28:01.409-04:00

Yes, this is the winter of my discontent, physically and emotionally. To further exacerbate the stress, my body seems to think it's in hibernation mode from the cold so it keeps adding pounds to store body heat. Gah! Last week, I joined a weight-loss group at school. Younger colleague had the brilliant idea to install a scale and logbook and we all get to privately weigh-in weekly and set our own

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-12048564024879745962008-03-29T10:22:00.019-04:002008-03-29T13:58:41.730-04:00

I went through the apartment this morning snapping photos which pretty much sum up the landscape and the ambience of the last few months. Welcome to my world ...Looks so 'Norman Rockwell', doesn't it? Except for the fact that last week was Easter and I'm still shoveling snow.If you noticed, I'm shooting in black and white to match the mood. The storm coat is ten years old and I think it's grafted

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-18080009226816060692008-03-21T20:56:00.007-04:002008-03-21T21:51:36.500-04:00

There are moments when your heart catches in your throat and past and present meld. I had such a moment tonight when I opened my email and found this photo of Sophie, proudly wrapped in a crocheted pink cape which my mom had made for Jennifer long, long ago. Suddenly, I was looking at my daughter at the age of six.David was taking the girls to the synagogue for a Purim celebration and it looks

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-75326246474444140172008-03-15T23:17:00.007-04:002008-03-15T23:57:30.384-04:00

It was a very good day. Daughter treated me to a massage at a local spa where I wore my birthday suit and a smile, entrusting myself to the gentle hands of a therapist. I looked in the mirror and accepted who was there, a woman whose body had changed through the years. Her image may have changed but her inner self was still true to form. Sophie and Hannah, bedecked in lovely girly-girl dresses,

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-90562410932690997782008-03-14T21:49:00.013-04:002008-03-29T22:49:02.437-04:00

Here I am on the eve of another birthday, a year away from Medicare and certainly ready for Weight Watchers. It's been a hard year but nothing's been nipped and tucked. In the meantime, Jenn and her 35-something mommy bloggers are playing the self-portrait truthiness game and I took a peek. Here's how the game works: you dare a fellow blogger to take a candid photo, no make-up, let it all hang

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-71921399168254528122008-03-04T21:10:00.005-05:002008-03-14T23:25:16.741-04:00

Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.—Mark Twain

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-13146455683056314042008-03-02T17:50:00.014-05:002008-03-02T21:39:27.708-05:00

It's Olivia's fifth birthday, my little fellow Piscean.I've been told that she's spending a very special day with her mom and other grandmom, having a grown-up tea at the American Girl store in Seattle. I wish I could be there and can imagine her sweet face lighting up for the occasion. Olivia is a sunny and shy child and, as runner-up to big brother, Ben, it's sometimes hard for her to be the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-57925401034453108182008-02-25T23:07:00.005-05:002008-03-01T22:04:14.563-05:00

Real life has kept me busy these past few weeks and I miss my blog. I just came across a couple old photos and thought they deserve to be posted here. Here I am, dark brunette that I was, holding Jenn. And here's my mom, one of my favorite pics of her and her grandson, Joe. Look at mom's face - such joy! That chubby little baby would grow up to be the first doctor in the family, ever. That

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-44905617462686188962008-01-22T21:09:00.002-05:002010-08-22T22:17:53.355-04:00

I can't find a photo to post here. She'd be smiling about that. She never liked to be the one in the picture, the focus on her. She was usually the one taking the photo, the one behind the scene. The observer. The quiet presence. The audience of one. She never knew that about herself but it was a hidden grace. She was a humble person. My cousin, my sister, my friend.We grew up together under the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-56716554306472539552008-01-14T22:10:00.002-05:002008-02-26T17:11:20.129-05:00

When my son was little, he became a big fan of Scooby Doo. Somewhere, hidden away in a packing box, is a tape recording of three-year-old Joseph confessing his love for Velma. I couldn't believe he didn't fall for the blonde. Well, he did but that was years later ....So here we are in 2008 and Joseph and Daphne, oops, Katie have adopted a dog. Three kids and, heavens, we all know that "every

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-21184107293994373472008-01-01T13:18:00.001-05:002008-01-01T17:59:44.307-05:00

It's snowing. Again. We've been blessed with this white stuff through the holidays. Thought I'd share some pictures to keep the season going a bit longer. Tomorrow, I, and many others I'm sure, return to work. Soon, all the trees and tinsel and decorations will be put away for another year. And the beautiful new white snow will be plowed back and turn all gray and muddy. Yuk. So what endures

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-52213118453087024922007-12-29T15:49:00.003-05:002008-03-10T13:02:32.784-04:00

One of the reasons I started this blog was to keep a written history for the grandkids. As my blog header implies, nothing fancy - just life in general and me in particular. It's been an interesting ride so far, almost two years' worth of musings, sometimes intersecting my daughter's blog and sometimes not. I've been introduced to many excellent bloggers and am surprised that I've developed my

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-30289335956344252022007-12-26T10:45:00.000-05:002007-12-26T17:10:56.690-05:00

It was a laid-back Christmas. The girls were sick with colds and ear infections so spent the day in their jammies. Sophie, teetering on the brink of Santa as myth or reality, seemed to appreciate his reply to her note but wished he had not written in cursive because "it's harder to read". She carefully examined the bites his reindeer took out of the carrots and even found a special present

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-89191040926521584782007-12-24T22:08:00.001-05:002007-12-24T23:22:52.489-05:00

It's Christmas eve. The wind whips my scarf as I walk up the hill to the kids' house to watch Sophie and Hannah decorate their tree. I try to picture another town, another age, a couple millennia ago. Did candles burn brightly on that night, that silent night? Did someone walking up a hill see tiny lights flickering below as I do now? Was it cold? Was it lonely?I look for that one elusive

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-46614872245144699032007-12-20T19:20:00.001-05:002007-12-20T22:04:51.911-05:00

There is something sweet about coming home and finding gifts laid at your doorstep - the realization that someone, somewhere, has taken the time to think about you and act on it. I certainly wasn't expecting the windfall I got. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning, excitedly cutting through the outside packing tape of each box and package, wondering just what could be inside. My largesse

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-88738723398646874222007-12-17T17:46:00.000-05:002007-12-17T18:41:10.202-05:00

This is a funny lady ... after a week of wild and wooly weather, I needed a good laugh. I went into cooking mode on the weekend considering all the dire weather forecasts. Ham and cabbage in a crockpot, salisbury steak with buttered noodles - I haven't cooked like this in quite a while. It felt good. The girls came for dinner - walked down with their daddy and then climbed the mountain of

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-41939565152841171892007-12-13T17:39:00.000-05:002007-12-13T18:21:47.776-05:00

Sophie's raffle puppy showed up after all, actually, his karmic brother.Church lady called me at the beginning of the week and told me that they "found the missing doggie" and I could pick him up at a local rectory. Luckily, the errand was on my way to work and, indeed, a little red puppy with a matching hand-stitched blanket was waiting for me. I knew Sophie would be thrilled. I remember

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-85239668759244050982007-12-04T23:26:00.000-05:002007-12-04T23:34:10.911-05:00

Well, not really. Thirty-five years ago I was busy giving birth to a 9 lb. 1 oz. baby boy. Today, he was busy chopping down a Christmas tree for his little family in the Pacific Northwest.You rock, Joe!

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-12288102606836541932007-12-03T16:39:00.000-05:002007-12-03T17:30:49.888-05:00

I took Sophie to a Christmas Fair at a local church over the weekend. She had slept over and helped me get out my Christmas decorations and then we decided it would be fun to see what surprises were at the fair. The church was in the next town; Sophie was deep in thought and quite excited as we drove there. However, she was a bit intimidated when we walked into a crowded hall filled with tables

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-64305932327481676892007-11-22T21:47:00.000-05:002007-11-22T22:29:46.276-05:00

Yes, it's Thanksgiving and those of us lucky enough to be near family members are filling our plates and sharing the table with those we love, or at least those who tolerate us. I read a poem once that said "Home is where, when you go, they have to let you in." Something like that. It stuck with me because I think tolerance is a big part of the fabric of family love. I made space in my

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-6100839584069423172007-11-05T21:12:00.001-05:002007-11-05T21:42:37.457-05:00

I didn't get to bid on the little red house after all. It went under contract this afternoon. As much as I was starting to dream about just where the piano and computer desk would go and how I would manage the early-morning run downstairs to the bathroom, I was not totally deflated from the news. There's something out there with my name on it; I just haven't found it yet.May I suggest that any

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-39683251294249093332007-11-04T07:55:00.001-05:002007-11-04T08:29:01.427-05:00

Did you miss me? Thanks for such great comments on the house. I've been looking at other houses and talking to annuity-fund advisors, trying to decide if the little red house is calling my name. I saw two other properties and they just didn't have the charm. One was an older Colonial occupied by a woman going through a divorce. Been there, done that; I could feel the sadness coming through the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-26862720636762497662007-10-19T23:35:00.000-04:002007-10-20T00:53:54.931-04:00

Today, I took a vacation day to see the girls in action. It was Grandparent's Day at their school. This is the first year that they are together, Sophie in first grade and Hannah in Beginners. I proudly wore two picture badges on my jacket and then had to be clever enough to spend time with each sister, making sure that neither felt slighted.First grade was much more organized - Sophie and I

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-6227156150861933202007-10-13T23:38:00.000-04:002007-10-14T00:29:06.706-04:00

Amidst lice alerts, Libby Lu, missing grooves, house hunting, there was a celebratory "first" for the Mater this past week. I became a published author. My first paid gig!A regional paper, The Women's Times, asked to use one of my former blog essays as part of their October edition. They even had an illustration drawn to fit the piece. I, of course, scooped up any copies I could find. Nothing

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-7638295256043137812007-10-10T23:27:00.000-04:002007-10-11T00:37:27.907-04:00

While Jenn searches for her groove, I’m hunting houses. Well, just one house. I looked at it while Jenn was away a few weeks back and then it went under contract to some other buyer. I love my apartment but, truth is, I am also tempted to do something crazy like buy a house in this soft market. Yep, take the small annuity I have and use some of it as a down deposit and become a mortgage holder

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-23524205508182033702007-10-06T11:57:00.000-04:002007-10-06T14:09:19.234-04:00

If you have been reading my daughter's blog, you'll see that Sophie and I had an excursion to a Color-Me-Pink franchise called Libby Lu. It really wasn't as silly as it seemed. Let me tell my side of the story ...We were at a large shopping mall and Sophie wanted to go to Libby Lu. She had one other experience with a little friend months ago when the girl's mother treated them both. She was eager

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-6340064187412318302007-09-30T22:19:00.000-04:002007-09-30T23:33:32.095-04:00

Sophie and I hang out together this weekend. She is packed and ready by the time I arrive on Saturday afternoon, assuring me that everything in her little zippered purple bag is in order for a sleepover. When you’re six, it’s time to assert yourself and I don’t want to push the issue on what is in her bag. She nods ‘yes’ to sleepwear and tooth brush so that’s good enough for me. I grab a

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-38806365035540465872007-09-27T21:26:00.001-04:002009-05-09T13:01:10.905-04:00

These are hard, confusing days on the home front. I will work my way through. It's what I do. It's what I have to do.In the meantime, I am busy at school trying to find internships for my seniors - launching them into new commitments and workplaces in the community. I often tell them to find their passion - find what really excites them, gives life. This, then, is what they are meant to do:

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-63458036485808844382007-09-15T22:22:00.000-04:002007-09-16T08:23:28.252-04:00

I stopped by the kids' house the other evening and shared a New Year dinner with the girls. Their Jewish bubba had sent fresh apples and honey. We dipped the apples into the honey and wished each other a sweet new year. Hannah then dipped the sweetened apples into her cup of milk and proclaimed that it was a good combination also. I reminded them that Israel became the promised land of milk

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-35929018838168062702007-09-03T23:11:00.000-04:002007-09-04T06:23:18.715-04:00

I spend Labor Day with my grown daughter. Once again, she volunteers to be my personal shopper and David, bless him, minds the girls while Jenn and I scoot off to a local shopping mall to boost the economy. Armed with one credit card, we manage to find sale items for the entire family: girls’ back-to-school dresses, David’s back-to-university shirts, a new school wardrobe for me and a few

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-40369707631457609322007-08-19T13:48:00.000-04:002007-08-19T16:10:28.152-04:00

Just in case you think that Jenn and I are couch potatoes and spend way too much time on the computer, I'm proud to present a photo diary of our recent getaway in Vermont. We hugged trees...Went out on a limb...Cleared forests, one tree at a time.We climbed up ...And we climbed down.We scaled the heights ...Crawled over bridges ...Pushed ourselves to new limits of endurance ...And showed true

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-51067457681074246362007-08-11T18:39:00.000-04:002007-08-15T19:13:09.587-04:00

The nine people I love most are together this weekend. I’m not with them but I see them clearly. In my mind. They are thousands of miles away but very much with me. I can envision the teasing looks and wry humor of the four adults. I can hear the squeals of laughter and delight from the younger set … five little grandchildren, five little cousins. Getting acquainted anew. I sit under the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-64838748477571331702007-08-08T23:17:00.000-04:002007-08-09T01:20:45.982-04:00

I'm waiting for Jenn to spin this tale but she's just given me permission to write about our unusual encounter with the Inn's former mistress, Mrs. Barstow. Let's face it, spending a night in an old historic inn with my daughter (who dotes on ghosts) wouldn't be complete without a paranormal event. We drove to Vermont on a bit of a whim, settled in, took a hike, and ate a grand dinner. We then

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-88060093437868947492007-08-07T21:08:00.000-04:002007-08-07T21:54:17.221-04:00

Times like these, it's hard to be 3,000 miles away. I can still remember her daddy clamoring for "juice, more juice" in his crib. Here she is, turning one, and being introduced to a birthday cupcake. The baby of the clan. Happy Birthday, Iris! Looks like the party was a success.

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-37033712917181228042007-08-04T22:29:00.000-04:002007-08-04T22:50:47.300-04:00

This is the week of the Hattie Belle. I was sitting on the sofa tonight between her and big sis, Sophie. We were watching a Tom and Jerry DVD. She was giggling uncontrollably, squealing at their silly antics."I can't hold it in ... I can't hold it in", she kept repeating, mostly to herself. I looked at her in amazement. Out of the mouths of babes. It seemed such a grown-up moment for a

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-53394923167627409542007-07-31T22:53:00.000-04:002007-08-01T06:55:24.745-04:00

Take a lazy summer weekend, thunderstorms predicted. Take one mother and one adult daughter, looking for some fun. Take one Canadian son-in-law willing to mind the munchkins for a night. Take a much needed mini-vacation before the mother starts working full-time this week.Find a Saturday-night vacancy at a charming inn in Vermont. Find a credit card that can still absorb some new charges.

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-25156428763978333462007-07-27T08:11:00.000-04:002007-07-27T10:45:16.393-04:00

As I've mentioned, I gained a few pounds this winter and they are really dragging me down, physically and emotionally. My clothes are screaming at me, "fashion abuse", as buttons pop and zippers strain. Well, it's not quite that bad but remember my family motto? Never let truth get in the way of a good story.I've got to find a way to shed a few pounds.Plan A (which I did last summer with a

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-88712045221292147982007-07-26T07:26:00.000-04:002007-07-26T08:11:05.386-04:00

I've hit a dry spell. Sitting here, looking at the screen, trying to think of a clever or witty topic to write about. Oh, I have been tagged recently for two memes. I cut and pasted the info and still am not ready to write six or seven random thoughts. Maybe that's because I can't think of six or seven things in my life that I want to share publicly, eh? I probably could reveal that I overcook

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-86830523255132503172007-07-18T00:17:00.000-04:002007-07-18T00:47:42.690-04:00

Three generationsConsonance and dissonanceLike notes in a chordLet there be musicThat relates and resonatesMarches, polkas, fuguesWe sing and we danceWe trip lightly and with graceEach to our own tuneSometimes we collideChoreography all wrongThe dance still goes onWe learn by doingCounterpoint and melodyThree beats to a waltzLeitmotif, our livesSo connected yet apartWe are mystery

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-21890276735267570832007-07-17T23:03:00.000-04:002007-07-18T00:57:04.837-04:00

You, my granddaughter,Are spirited and spunkyFull of life and loveI, your grandmother,Welcome your kaleidescopeAbsorb your colorYou, too, reflect meWe share a common paletteColors mix and blendHow does this happen?Not choosing, being chosenMany hues and shadesWe come from rainbowsSparkle in each other's armsCelebrate the light

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-30562409130797642882007-07-11T10:01:00.000-04:002007-07-11T21:24:29.995-04:00

I've been living here almost a year and finally set foot on the Appalachian Trail over the weekend. The kids called and invited me for a short hike. Since I've gained a few pounds this past winter, I couldn't resist the offer. My couch-potato self rose to the occasion. The trail isn't far from my house but it's fairly inconspicuous from the main road. The sign is actually on a driveway which

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-2396768014692110762007-06-28T16:16:00.000-04:002007-06-28T16:48:03.541-04:00

Warning: The following contains graphic images. If you really, really, really love your plants, refrain from viewing.You were beautiful and caught my eye immediately. I had been searching for the perfect match for a long time. I knew what I wanted and you delivered. It was love at first sight. You seemed so vibrant, so perky, in the full bloom of youth. I knew you were the one for me.

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-10219831295417306342007-06-17T22:37:00.000-04:002007-06-22T22:16:53.168-04:00

To watch my grandkids bloom and growRequires fathers who do sowThe seeds of wonder and delightTending, tilling, giving insightFathers who are often tiredYet who can teach and inspireLittle minds who never restAlways making new requestsBeing loving, being thereShowing that a dad does careI see my son in this demanding roleAnd son-in-law too, loyal soulsThey provide fertile groundFor their children

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-41160340162926273412007-06-07T09:46:00.000-04:002007-06-07T10:08:13.204-04:00

I pick Sophie up from kindergarten and am driving her home. Vivaldi's Four Seasons is playing on my tape deck. It's one of her favorite tapes. She is always a happy camper if I have classical or polka music to offer.Sophie: "I really like this music."Babci: "I do too."Few minutes of critical listening.Sophie: "I bet this is Winter."Babci: "You know, I'm not really sure ... it could be Fall

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-88155883285198205302007-06-05T21:12:00.000-04:002007-06-05T22:37:55.330-04:00

I've been working at the new job as school counselor for the past nine months. It's been challenging and I sometimes have doubts about my ability to deliver what's expected. It's a new position and I'm literally starting from scratch, building a foundation to a program which will serve the students for years to come. The school year has gone by quickly and these last few weeks remind me of final

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3