My husband and I almost chuckle with glee when we both imagine our children coming across the boxes of greeting cards we’ve collected over the decades. Thank God they won’t be able to throw them at us in disgust when we’re both six feet under, even though they’ll probably want to. We’re actually doing our […]
To keep, or not to keep, all those Valentines? Read More »
Over the recent holidays someone picked up an old thread on the Facebook page Braymer, MO Remember When. The discussion way back in 2011 began when I was asking for input on an article I was writing for The Caldwell County News seeking people’s memories of The Country Place. I promised the late-comers who wanted to
I wish I’d been there when Braymer almost became Branson Read More »
You’re at least a baby boomer (or older) if you recall that sophomoric blind date saying, “All the girls really like her. And . . . she makes her own clothes!” Yeah, I was one of those girls. Our family’s economic status and 4-H sewing projects made it almost imperative to fashion my own clothes
“She makes her own clothes!” Getting caught up on sewing technology Read More »
The call of a row of Concord grapes and some unexpected wild elderberries that grew up beside Wayne’s barn lured me into burning in the kitchen this week . . . literally and figuratively. Wayne’s late wife, my dear cousin Linda, had made a business of concocting 56 “shades” of jelly and selling them at
Domestic divas make food for the soul; and maybe just a few mistakes Read More »
In the course of a recent holiday luncheon with friends, and right after I had enjoyed my own ramekin of crème brule (sometimes we share our desserts), one of those so-called amigos remarked that sugar kills brain cells. Like a Grinch who had just spoiled my own Christmas, I snuck home in guilty silence to
Merry Christmas . . . now enjoy this poisonous treat Read More »
After my husband died, eating a meal at home changed from a pleasant occasion to a little house of chagrin and horror. It morphed from being balanced nutrition, with at least one veggie and lots of conversation, into a lonely, tasteless thing you only do because you’re supposed to. Thanks to that new life change
Supersize me . . . I’m a widow Read More »
For many recent widows and widowers, the idea of celebrating their first Christmas without their spouse opens a window of dread akin to being force-fed a fruitcake. As unique individuals, we have different ways of dealing with the grief of finding ourselves alone during a holiday dedicated to family celebrations and long-held rituals and traditions.
Where would we be today without cushiony, perforated tissue (disregarding arguments about which way it should be placed on the holder)?
I’m grateful for toilet tissue Read More »
Finally admitting I could qualify as a helpless widow, I called my brother-in-law to ask for help from my nephews, knowing my son would not appreciate driving 45 minutes one way to put a 48″ light tube in a stupid socket.
Widow Journal Part II: Knowing when to ask for help Read More »
I blame my mother. She’s the one who got this memoir stuff started several years ago. It’s almost like she continues to chide me from the grave to continue her passion for family storytelling. Now that my own memoir is launching Aug. 7, I find myself thumbing through her personal saga to find reinforcement for
We all share a responsibility to record our family narratives Read More »
