We brought back lots of books from MA. Most are old, but some are popular books from my father's mail-order book club(s?) that I have wanted to read but never got around to it. When I think of my father's post-retirement life, the image is of him in his recliner, with stacks of books piled at least as high as the arms of the chair on both sides. ( Read more... )

That baby had better come be cute, quick. Just got in from mowing the back "lawn." Discovered that everything I planted out back during my last gasp of gardening before babycare and weird weather took over has died. I'm sad. I'm not as upset about the labor lost as about the money wasted when we've had so little to spare for such things ( Read more... )

The news is so slow in coming and keeps changing.

Not a stroke. A TIA. In other words, a mini-stroke. Possibly a warning of future strokes.

They are figuring out what to do to treat her.

I don't seem to be going up there yet.

I really hate this "here we go again" feeling.

And I hate that she lives so far away.

Well, crap. The only thing worse than taking your mother to the hospital is getting a call from your brother at midnight saying that he took her to the hospital. And they're 300 miles away ( Read more... )

As we head into yet another heat wave, I'm forced to admit that last summer's passionately persistent wanderings in the Wissahickon were made possible by the cooler than usual weather. This year I'm doing well if I walk up Wayne Ave. (26 min.) instead of Greene (20 min.). Heck, this year I'm doing well if I don't wimp out and drive ( Read more... )