Before this year, I would have told you that Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. A celebratory, non-denominational kid pleaser of a holiday, replete with costumes, scares, magic, and mystery. For older teenagers and young adults alike, Halloween provides an excuse to let your hair down, encouraging sexy and silly frolics that can last […]
The Orphan
Early Saturday morning, while sipping my first cup of coffee, I turned on public radio. I heard a story about the demands and burdens being put on people who must care for their aging baby boomer parents.I had tuned in just as a woman was discussing her personal experience caring for her father, who apparently […]
Making an Investment
Today’s theme concerning moving forward seems to be one that I gravitate toward with some frequency in these musings. In the next week alone I will be meeting Amy and Vik for dinner, and next week have made plans to see Paul and Joanne, along with Wendell and Steve. Of course, Amy was Lee’s dear […]
Nothin’ To Say
I sit here trying to pound out this week’s tune, but find that I do not have much news to report: No special insights to share about my widow(er)hood, no roiling sad emotions crying to be released lest I explode. In fact, at this moment I mainly am concerned with life’s humdrum: Restocking the pantry […]
Planning to Get Away
Recently I have been spending time considering possible warm weather destinations for a mid-February hiatus. Here in the northern climes the specter of another harsh Winter leaves us daydreaming of a Winter getaway. Such getaways are not necessarily limited to the warm weather […]
Maintaining
Lee was not my first wife nor even my second wife. However, she is the wife for whom the marriage vow “’til death do us part” felt true and irrevocable. Lee and I enjoyed a wonderful marriage. Then cancer came and got Lee and she died too young. I have learned firsthand that death is […]
A Division of Labor
As I have mentioned in this space from time to time, Lee was a marvelous gardener. She was more than a mere gardening enthusiast. After she retired from a career in government, Lee had plans to become a Master Gardener, a designation that connotes horticultural training and expertise as well as a deep commitment to […]
Al and Lee
My friend Al, pictured above, and I met as seniors in high school. Al was a charter member of our imaginary rock group the Frazier Thomas Band. Indeed, he was the imaginary producer of our first imaginary record album. Back in high school, my smart-ass first impression of Al had been, here is a guy […]
The Pstihurism
For many, Labor Day marks the unofficial end of Summer, but here in the northern climes where I reside, this artificial demarcation is more a function of culture than weather. Despite the strong likelihood that we will enjoy at least several more weeks of hot daytime temps better suited for T-shirts and cut-offs, schoolboys in […]
Bittersweet
It is hard to imagine how the arrangements could have come off any better than they did. First, to my surprise, by the time I arrived at Deer Tick Manor on Thursday night in advance of our celebration of Lee’s life this past Saturday, the large party tent already had been erected on the lawn […]
Autumn Leaves
This week’s post will have to be short. I prepare to leave for Deer Tick Manor on Thursday night. On Friday I will help direct the setup for Saturday’s long overdue celebration of Lee’s life. I recently have spent more time attending to professional matters than at any time this Summer. And before I depart, […]
Countdown
The final countdown is begun. On August 28 we will gather at Deer Tick Manor to celebrate Lee’s life. This pandemic-delayed event is long overdue. Our celebration will be held outside on the grounds, so it is full speed ahead despite the recent surge in Covid cases and despite Deer Tick being located firmly within […]