February 13 is a big day in Laws family mythology. A year ago, I posted about this on Facebook, noting that the day marked twenty-four years since I had asked Lauren to marry me. And of course, I included appropriate messages of love, celebration, and self-denigration. I thought it was all pretty clear, but sureContinue reading “It’s All My Fault”
Category Archives: Family Stories
My Failures as a Parent
I have failed as a parent. Oh, I’m sure this picture suggests otherwise. But the failure is embedded in the picture. Can’t see it? I mean, you’re right—it is lovely that our kids like each other enough to get together for the Super Bowl on their own. And we adore both Katy (Grant’s wife) andContinue reading “My Failures as a Parent”
The Elliott Women Are a Mafia Rewriting Our History, and I Am Here to Stop Them
The assault on the memory of Peaceful Meadows continues. Lauren’s sister Lisa is in town to visit her mother, and as a former lover of Peaceful Meadows, she desperately needed to try Porn Star Farms’ ice cream to see if it was a suitable replacement. So we had Grammie and Lisa over for dinner SaturdayContinue reading “The Elliott Women Are a Mafia Rewriting Our History, and I Am Here to Stop Them”
Our Ghost Likes Brooklyn Drill
A few weeks ago I was scrolling Facebook on my laptop and came upon some recommended reels. The first was a super fit girl hitting a golf ball. I clicked it. I have no memory of it was demonstrating or entertaining about—its song knocked me out. But I had never heard it and needed toContinue reading “Our Ghost Likes Brooklyn Drill”
Riverboat Gambler Graham
This weekend is the biggest betting weekend of the year. The American Gaming Association estimates that $23.1 billion will be bet on the Big Game. FanDuel has literally hundreds of prop bets you can “invest” in, ranging from the length of the National Anthem (folks, it’s prerecorded—someone already knows how long it is!) to theContinue reading “Riverboat Gambler Graham”
Wait Till Your Kids Make a Diss Track
I had another topic in mind today, and I will get to it. But first, we have to deal with another salvo in the Infamous Battle of the Towels. I got out of the shower this morning, dried off, opened the bathroom door, and behold, the laundry basket. But what do you see this time,Continue reading “Wait Till Your Kids Make a Diss Track”
In the Kitchen with the Farmer’s Dog
Meal times used to be sort of tense with Dobby around. He would sit at my feet and beg for food; if I wasn’t timely with delivery, he would yip at me. I gave him tiny cuts of meat—not so much of anything that it replaced the need for his normal food but enough toContinue reading “In the Kitchen with the Farmer’s Dog”
Dobby Goes to College and Other Weekend Wrap-Up Notes
Part of our adventure this weekend was bringing Dobby. Katy adores Dobby, Grant loves to tease him, and he can actually stay on campus with Lindsay at Lock Haven. In fact, I’m pretty sure the kids are happier to see Dobby than they are to see us. That’s true for Lindsay for sure and possiblyContinue reading “Dobby Goes to College and Other Weekend Wrap-Up Notes”
Some Things Should Never Be Said
Saturday evening, I settled onto the couch and Grant and Katy’s place, pulled out my book, put on my reading glasses, and started reading. I’ve been reading The Great War by Peter Hart and was getting his take on Verdun, which interested me since I had just read a different book-length work on the battle.Continue reading “Some Things Should Never Be Said”
I Lost Another Round in the Battle of the Towels
Yesterday morning, Lauren took Graham to an early ortho appointment. When I finished my workout, I found the basket of dirty laundry in the middle of our bedroom—this is Lauren’s cue to me to add my dirty workout clothes and start the laundry once I go downstairs. I did as expected and even moved theContinue reading “I Lost Another Round in the Battle of the Towels”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 