I collect old letters and records, mostly from the Civil War era but some going back to the Colonial and Revolutionary periods. In the last six months, I acquired a letter between two cousins in the Putnam family of New England; I also acquired a Putnam letter from the early 1800s confirming the family’s involvementContinue reading “How the Christmas Ball Caused the Salem Witch Trials”
Tag Archives: Christmas
The Christmas Sword of Vengeance
Years ago, Grant had a buddy over to play. They went down to our basement and began raising royal hell, which was par for the two of them. At some point, the din got so loud that I went downstairs to make sure things were still intact. They weren’t. The boys were jumping off ourContinue reading “The Christmas Sword of Vengeance”
Snowman Got His Own Fire
We decorated gingerbread houses last night. Of course, being the Laws, we cannot just decorate gingerbread houses—we must compete. So for days, we had agreed that we would have boys versus girls, that is, Graham and me versus Lauren, Lucia, and Lindsay. Graham, who never lacks for self-confidence, said the whole week, “Obviously, we’re gonnaContinue reading “Snowman Got His Own Fire”
I Bless the Rains Down in Alcatraz
The girls are terrible at hearing song lyrics. Lindsay, in particular, is a stone-cold song slayer. When they were younger, I was driving the girls to a soccer or dance practice, and Ellie Goulding’s song “Lights” came on the radio. The girls knew the song and began singing along with all their typical gusto. WhenContinue reading “I Bless the Rains Down in Alcatraz”
It Will All Be Fine
Here at Greenhill Manor we are optimists—everything is always at least half full or half positive. For example, I have annual anxiety about the Christmas tree. We have a tree stand that drills into the tree base so as to enhance water uptake. Roughly half of our trees drink like crazy, and the other halfContinue reading “It Will All Be Fine”
An Update from the International Brotherhood of Envelope Stuffers (IBES Local 33)
I sat on the couch with the remote in hand, the menu screen up, but Lauren sat at the kitchen table, within view but not paying attention to the TV. “I was thinking we could watch The Wire,” I said. “I’m just working on the Christmas cards,” she said. “Noted,” I said. “But if youContinue reading “An Update from the International Brotherhood of Envelope Stuffers (IBES Local 33)”
Ghosts of Christmas Past
In the old Christmas song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” our favorite crooners tell us, There’ll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago. When I was younger, I thought it was a strange line, and the only ghosts I could connect with Christmas were inContinue reading “Ghosts of Christmas Past”
I Got Whammed
Driving home from Plymouth tonight, Lauren fiddled with my phone to put Christmas music on. “You were not listening to Christmas music before?” she said. “I had Graham in the car. I can only fight so many battles.” “I see.” In the backseat, Graham cleared his throat. “Dad, I think we have to agree thatContinue reading “I Got Whammed”
I Am the Christmas Creep
When Dobby goes to the groomer, they always tie on him a little bandana in the spirit of whatever time of year it is. So yesterday, he got a fall bandana with pumpkins, gourds, and falling leaves. I was chopping vegetables for meals this week, and I had turned on a Christmas playlist. Graham wanderedContinue reading “I Am the Christmas Creep”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 