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Still Good for Something: Josie the Cockapoo Reflects on Aging
I’m feeling pretty useless these days. I try to remember the good ol’ days when I was a dynamo. I once jumped into a cold lake because I thought Mum needed saving while she was zipping around on water skis. I helped herd Mum’s pet ducklings and kept them from waddling too far away. I […]
Oh, Those Summer Nights
“Summer Nights” from Grease loops in my head as I mash a banana and crack open a beer—not to sip, not yet, but to bait moths. According to online sources, moths are drawn to a fermented mix of banana, sugar, and beer. “Summer lovin’ had me a blast…” Olivia Newton-John’s voice plays in my mind […]
Are You Spending Your Time the Way You Truly Want?
I knew I was about to pass out. I stood up and walked from the carpeted floor to the kitchen to call for my husband, who was downstairs. I woke up to shouting. “Amy, what was that noise?” Frank was rushing up the stairs. I had fainted and fallen on the tiled floor. The next […]
The Messy Badger Who Lives in My Writer’s Den
The last time I deep-cleaned and fastidiously organized, I was eight months pregnant—which was forty-four years ago. Because I can’t count on another nesting instinct, it’s time to face the drawers of outdated research notes, defunct electronics, and enough paper clutter to make even a loyal badger leave the state. I need motivation, so I […]
Family Traditions at the Little Cabin: Fireflies, Fawns, and Fourth of July Magic
Forty-eight years ago, my husband and I honeymooned in a rugged log cabin tucked beside a northern Wisconsin lake. It had log walls, one cozy bedroom, a single bathroom, and a quiet magic that made it feel much bigger. We eagerly launched the old fishing boat and explored the pristine waters. Overhead, an eagle soared. […]
Sprinkled with Magic
In honor of International Fairy Day, which is celebrated this week, I’m sharing a story that proves that a bit of magic—and a sprinkle of sand—can make a lasting memory. My six-year-old granddaughter, Maria, hurried up the walk to our house and asked, “Do you have the magic key, Grammy?” “The what?” “The magic key […]
Who Made a Difference in Your Life?
She wore her hair in a stylish French twist, but she could hit a softball out of the schoolyard. She was my third- and fourth-grade teacher, and I loved her. Shirley Meyer never achieved anything as monumental as winning a gold medal, but she was a treasure who touched many lives. Miss Meyer led a […]
Then again…Maybe We Just Did
Dear Dad, Happy 100th birthday—and happy Father’s Day! Even though you’ve been gone 45 years, I still think of you often. I like to imagine you’re watching over me and my family with a smile and an approving, “Dirty Dog,” your favorite expression. If you are watching, you’d be chuckling over your granddaughter, scheming to […]