Modern Family used to be appointment viewing for Lauren and me—we frequently watched it and another show or two with friends, usually while sharing dinner. A number of its episode themes have become shorthand for us. For example, Lauren had occasion to say to me two weekends ago, “Did I just wedge salad you?” ThisContinue reading “Coke Zero Orange Cream is Delicious . . . Just Ask Carrie”
Tag Archives: Daughters
Bowie Hates the Cone of Shame
Never underestimate the ingenuity and determination of dogs. When Lu and Brayden lived with us, Bowie and Benny were constantly escaping and dashing all over the neighborhood. Before I could get them corralled, someone would post in the Highland Woods Facebook group something like, “Just saw two fluffy black dogs dash through my yard! LeashesContinue reading “Bowie Hates the Cone of Shame”
The Shed, Part 2: Life and Death Underneath
Before we get into this, fair warning—if you have a hard time with the realities of the circle of life, you probably want to stop reading now. Also, you should stop eating food of any type at all. After all, we’ve recently learned that plants literally scream when they are cut or pulled, meaning thatContinue reading “The Shed, Part 2: Life and Death Underneath”
The Shed, Part 1: Jailbreak
Back by popular demand (by which I mean, “none at all”) is an update from Greenwood Manor. For the last six months, Brayden and Lucia have lived with us as she started her new job, he started A&P certification school, and they looked for their own house. More important, their two dogs, Bowie and BennyContinue reading “The Shed, Part 1: Jailbreak”
The Lonely Grandmothering Preview
The family of Lindsay’s boyfriend, Carson, joined us for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Our eastern Pennsylvania visitors included, oldest to youngest, Chad, Carrie, Carson, and Griffin. Griffin is entering eighth grade and started the visit off with a bang—he marched in wearing a hideous Philadelphia 76ers hat. Tactical error on his part. “Wow,Continue reading “The Lonely Grandmothering Preview”
Show em You’re a Tiger
A few weeks after Bowie joined Lucia and Brayden, Lucia texted me to ask if I thought it was a bad idea to get another dog. I said something along the lines that if both halves of the marriage were good with it, it was probably fine. Turns out that Lu and Brayden had beenContinue reading “Show em You’re a Tiger”
Kids, Do Not Try This at Home
After a hiatus to write a novel, I am back and with stories more devastating than ever. You know the old saying: no poorly executed good deed goes unpunished. A couple weeks ago, Lauren drove Lindsay to western NY to connect with the family of Lindsay’s boyfriend. When I finished work and dinner, I hadContinue reading “Kids, Do Not Try This at Home”
For Better or Worse, God is in the Details
I have heard members of my religion exclaim that “God is in the details” and “God micromanages our lives” and “we should turn it all over to God.” I start almost every day ready to turn it all over to God and go back to bed, but I suppose that’s not how it works. TheContinue reading “For Better or Worse, God is in the Details”
The Venn Diagram of Marriage
Nothing says twenty-five years of marriage like taking a red-eye home from an event for your children, so naturally, that’s what we did on our special day. Lucia’s college graduation was this past week, so we made the trek to Hawaii for the occasion. We watched her walk across the stage and so forth, andContinue reading “The Venn Diagram of Marriage”
Sad Easter
When Lauren was with Lindsay at Lock Haven after the surgery, she realized she had to tend to some Easter matters or she would miss the date. Specifically, she needed to order Mrs. Cavanaugh’s mindy mint Easter eggs for all the kids. Inasmuch as she was in Lindsay’s dorm room and Lindsay was present, LaurenContinue reading “Sad Easter”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 