Years ago, I worked with the American Battlefield Trust to create an augmented reality app. It’s a free download on the app store. We returned to Gettysburg on Saturday, and while Graham ran ten miles, the rest of us hiked Pickett’s Charge. Before we started, we assembled at the step-off point of the Virginians justContinue reading “Walking Pickett’s Charge and Catching Pokemons, but not Fish”
Tag Archives: Cousins
Mo Would Not Make It to the Gettysburg Address
Thursday night, we were winding down in the hotel—the kids were taking turns in the restroom, getting their showers, brushing teeth, etc. Eli got frustrated with his twin, and exclaimed, “Geez, Emma. You are slower than molasses.” He paused a moment, then said, “I really don’t know who this ‘Molasses’ is, but I guess thatContinue reading “Mo Would Not Make It to the Gettysburg Address”
The Real Winner of the Battle of Antietam
On Thursday, I took the cousins and Graham to the Antietam National Battlefield, and oh boy. Before we went, I looked up some family ancestry. We picked someone from the Laws family tree and someone from the Settle family tree. Eli’s job was to learn all he could about Charles Foster Settle and the 5thContinue reading “The Real Winner of the Battle of Antietam”
The Waffle Stomp Is Still Unsolved, and Life Is Not Fair
Wednesday morning, we embarked on the Laws cousin roadtrip to take in Antietam and Gettysburg. We had a solid eight-hour drive to Hagerstown, Maryland, where I had booked our hotels. The ride was amazing, incredible even. And by amazing, I mean, “Wow, I didn’t know this was possible,” and by incredible, I mean, “You willContinue reading “The Waffle Stomp Is Still Unsolved, and Life Is Not Fair”
The Revolution Is Here
I collect Civil War, Revolutionary War, and Colonial-era ephemera—nothing too exotic, just old soldiers’ letters, tax receipts, ship manifests, that sort of thing. (Don’t come rob my house, stalkers—I’ve never paid more than $100 for anything.) I had to work this morning before taking the afternoon off to take the cousins to Lexington and Concord.Continue reading “The Revolution Is Here”
Cousins for Lu’s Birthday
The Laws cousins from Houston arrived on Monday. They’re escaping the hurricane-wrecked city and roadtripping with the boys this week. Graham and I headed into the urban hellscape known as Logan to pick them up. The twins, Eli and Emma, have never been to Boston while their older brother Will hasn’t visited in a decade.Continue reading “Cousins for Lu’s Birthday”
The Queens We Use Would Not Excite You
They are spending the day at Aunt Camille’s house and hanging out with David, Katie, Adam, and Ben. David is the oldest in the group followed by the young man, then Katie and Stephen. Dad is upstairs with Aunt Camille. Jonathan is at work. Jared has gone on a roadtrip with a friend to California.Continue reading “The Queens We Use Would Not Excite You”
Catch of the Day
Uncle Max, Uncle Ned, and the young man’s father have driven the group of cousins north to Cold Springs Trout Farm in Ogden. Whenever they visit Utah, Uncle Max brings them on this trip Cold Springs has seven ponds stocked full of trout. Bait your hook with some salmon eggs, and you will catch yourContinue reading “Catch of the Day”
The No-Headed Lady
In the 1980s, the legends of both Ted Bundy and Gary Gilmore are alive and fresh in Utah and Salt Lake Counties, so it doesn’t help the boy that his grandmother’s house is insecure, creepy, and haunted. Insecure? The kids all sleep in an unfinished basement where wood scaffolding stands unfinished; the floor is coldContinue reading “The No-Headed Lady”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 