When friends become Family #26
I am not sure when it happens. I am not sure how it happens … or why, but I know that it happens. I grew up in a home in California and we did not live near our blood relatives. My mom’s family lived on the east coast and my dad’s relatives are from the…
The Dating pool
I was asked, again, if I ever considered dating and getting remarried. My answer hasn’t changed. I had a good marriage and I really never considered doing it again. But at the same time I miss companionship every day. Jim’s friendship. And even after 14 years without him the aloneness seems stronger every day instead…
My Brothers #25
I have 2 brothers and they both have birthdays in June. My brother Jonathan turned 60 this week and David turned 58. Growing up they shared a room and they had some of the same comparison and squabbles, jealousies and issues that my sister and I did. I am sometimes startled at how much my…
My Sister #24
What can I say about my sister that I have not already shared?! Today is her anniversary – married to Chris for longer than I was married to Jim. Since the Friday posts are about my family memories, I will share a few about my sweet sister. First of all she is creative, beautiful and…
Brain Farts and Flatlining
Warning – Rant below – I used to be rather skilled at creative problem solving and brainstorming. I found it invigorating and I was often asked to stop giving ideas after awhile because I was so practiced in it that once on a roll it was easy to keep going. I was part of a…
Corn Salad and Potlucks
I was asked to share about a salad that I made one time for a Staff women’s lunch years ago. Little did I know it would be such a hit! It was an old potluck recipe that I was given by a close friend and as I rifled through my recipe box I could have…
Father Friday #23
With Father’s day coming on Sunday, I cannot help but think about dads. My dad. Jim’s dad. Jim. I think I will share a memory of each, Jim’s dad was a #7 out of 9 children. He was smart and resourceful. Raised in southern California, Lionel was an eagle scout, served in the Navy during…
Choosing or Feeling or Both?
Choosing joy. My sister in love and I were having a conversation about this recently. Here are are few of my thoughts. Let’s talk about choosing. We all get to choose things like what flavor of ice cream and which shoes we will put on. Americans are especially good at demanding choices and I have…
Books #22
I grew up in a home that valued learning. One of the ways was this was evidenced was by the vast number of bookshelves filled with books, often double deep and sagging middles due to the weight of all the volumes. Books and magazines were often overwhelming coffee tables, sofa cushions and more. You might…
Happy One year Anniversary C & A!
June 4, 2023. One year! Dear Clayton and Amanda – The farther I get from being married the less I feel I can give advice. It feels irrelevant and yet I remember so much that I learned by being married to your dad. You have one year down and many more to go! Perhaps you…