I am looking forward to having food in my fridge and a filled pantry. It’s been nine days since I last shopped; I’m down to one Lean Cuisine, one frozen pork chop, four microwaveable soups, and two yogurts long past their expiration dates. I am not looking forward to visiting the supermarket this morning. It […]
Plagues persist. (Locusts looming?)
“What’s next – locusts?” That’s what a friend said to me last week, after hearing about the computer viruses, the broken down car, the hole in my son’s ceiling the night before we were leaving town, the air conditioning that died and required repair – twice, water pouring into my bathroom through a light fixture, […]
Weekend Update (Do You Know Where Your Children Are?)
“You’re going where?” I ask. “Brussels, Paris, then Rennes and maybe Brest,” he says. It’s my 18-year old on the phone from Europe. My son the factory worker, my son the office worker, my son the engineer-in-training, with a touch of mad scientist thrown in. Curious about everything. Vibrant and adventurous. My son, calling last […]
Winning (when it counts)
Winners and losers. Isn’t that how most people view the world? And usually, the “win” involves money, a title, and stuff. Along with the spoils of winning come reassurances that the basics in life will be taken care of, and a great deal more: satisfaction in your accomplishments, the realization of a dream, and maybe […]
Discipline
It is a holiday weekend in the US. Families are gathering, preparing picnics, watching Wimbledon (as I will be, shortly) or their other favorite sports. They’re preparing for foot races under a sizzling sun, for fireworks in the local park, for unwinding. They are slowing down. Pulling in. Taking a few days off. I am […]
Shower Shockers, Water Worries
Shower shockers Who doesn’t do some of their best thinking in the shower? And who doesn’t recall the terrifying shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 thriller, Psycho? Janet Leigh is unwinding after a harried day of larceny, an eerie encounter with a creepy character, and is lulled as she finally cleans up, letting her guard […]
Moaning and Groaning. COOL Complaint Zoning?
The Complaint Department is Open! But today, I’m also in search of silver linings, if you happen to have any in sight. Mine? Wimbledon Week 2 is here! And that helps everything, even though I missed last week’s incredible 11-hour match with its extraordinary 70-68 fifth set! So here is my contribution to Monday morning […]
Flashbacks, futures
The hotel room The popcorn ceiling, valance curtains, brightly colored abstract images in gilt frames hanging over each double bed. Six hangers on a pole by the door, with its emergency exit and checkout instructions posted beneath a tiny keyhole. There is olive carpeting with a small pattern, striped wallpaper in the beige bathroom with […]
Plane snoozing, peanut scooping, eye rolling (Why I love my kid)
Travel time This is my kid. Yes, he’s sleeping. Head down, on an airplane. How can he do that?? Dining out This was last night’s dinner. Out on the town. Shouldn’t everyone go gourmet when they travel? Appetizers This delightful appetizer was part of the ambiance last evening, with that fabulous burger and fries. “What […]
Why We Sweat the Small Stuff
When the small stuff adds up…