Sometimes we surprise ourselves. Who would have thought that physical fatigue and mental acuity could coexist – comfortably? Or do we simply adjust to being tired as a way of life, and enjoy those times when our minds (or emotions) are humming along just fine no matter what? Like most parents, I’m tired. And for […]
Eggs. Baskets. Now what?
Here’s your task. You’re in a big room. It’s filled with the usual – chairs, tables, lamps, books. Your mission? Get from one side to the other and back again, carrying a dozen eggs, in or out of their carton. You have your choice of two baskets, along with bubble wrap and a few other […]
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Telling a story, and turning a page.
Playing by the Rules
I find myself sitting in traffic. It’s a dangerous intersection of off-ramps and commercial roadways, with a confusing tangle of turns and lights. But it’s past rush hour and before lunch. Not too bad, I think. I’ll make it through in five or six minutes. Most of the drivers are waiting patiently. Inching forward as […]
My Mirror, My Mug
I look in the mirror and blink. I stare at the face staring back. Who is she? No wide-eyed adolescent, that’s for sure. Nor is she a young woman, though I might like to pretend otherwise. These days, I hardly recognize myself. Yes, it’s fatigue. But something more is going on. Something we think will […]
Butting Heads
I miss stormy. Okay. I’ll rephrase. I miss occasionally stormy. It isn’t what I experienced in marriage, and at the time, I thought that was a plus. Of course, things were rocky at the end, and that’s to be expected. But the relationship itself seemed to run smoothly. Quietly. We rarely fought. If anything, we […]
Are You Selfish In Your Relationships?
There’s selfish, and self-interested. Do you know the difference?
Semantic Issues
Pens, pencils, textbooks. The computer. Dirty dishes. It’s all heaped on the edge of the couch and the small ottoman next to his long limbs. He’s twisted up in an old comforter, and out cold. I touch his arm and he opens his eyes. “I don’t need to print this morning,” he murmurs, and turns […]
Ghosts, Goblins, and Ghouls
This week, Gale at Ten Dollar Thoughts wrote about the division of responsibilities among couples – how the lines are drawn when it comes to bringing home the bacon, household chores, childcare, cooking, yard work, and more. As a long-time single parent, my view of domestic duties operates from a different perspective. I’ve raised my […]
Woman to wed… herself
How could I pass up this little nugget? It’s a news item plucked from msnbc.com concerning a Taiwanese woman who is apparently planning an unusual wedding next month. Her spouse-to-be? Herself. While Chen Wei-yih cannot marry herself legally, she intends to do so symbolically – right down to the wedding dress, the wedding planner, the […]