Floundering

There’s no mahi in the freezer, I realized as I made my way though the kitchen, searching the staples for what I’d make for dinner. There are a few things I try not to let run out completely because I can offer a meal that nearly anyone will enjoy on short notice. Mahi is my …

What Sort of People?

“I need to open the window, Lolly. Mr. Leo and Mr. Noel are cutting grass. What kind of snack can we take them?” The rush of Thomas’s words matched his sprinting pace as he rounded the corner to the kitchen. He’d heard the mowers cranking and lost no time in getting into place for the …

Know Him

We sat in the front corner booth by the windows for lunch. My daughter and I sandwiched her two kids between us, alternating bites with juggling babies. Our view of the breezeway and the front parking always provides a great distraction. People walking by, driving out, or coming in often smile or wave to the …

Pockets Filled With Holes

“Do you have a pocket? No. Would you like for me to hold that for you until you’ve finished building?” I accompanied my daughters and grandkids to a local hardware store’s monthly kids building event. The toddlers were chomping at the bit to begin pounding away with their pint sized hammers while their moms unfolded …

Like Father Like Son

Now that my son has a son who’s a year old, it’s fun to watch for similarities between Ezra and his dad, things I remember so clearly when I see them fleshed out in his little boy. He doesn’t have his dad’s dimples as his sister does, much to his mom’s chagrin. He has one …

Finishing Strong

“Who’s first?”  In my experience, the answer depends entirely on what precedes the question. I’m instantly back in my public speaking course in college. If you’re like me, you’re petrified but prepared and you just want this over and done with so you sit in the front row and your hand goes up before the …

Give and Take

My granddaughter Amelia has a love hate relationship with eggs. One day she scarfs down scrambled eggs with cheese or a cheese omelet and other days she refuses them after gagging on the first bite. She seems to prefer eggs at the bagel shop to any we’ve prepared at home. Fortunately she has a younger …

Living Testimony 

Some days it’s difficult to remember who I’ve talked to or where I heard something by the time Paul and I sit down to dinner. I’ve promised to pass along a message from one of our kids or I wanted to share an amusing story about one of the grandkids. I’m reminded of a childhood …

Use Your Words

Two of my grandchildren are celebrating birthdays next week. Ezra will be one and his sister Amelia turns three two days later. Ezra came home from the hospital on his sister’s second birthday. We’re experiencing a lot of firsts just this week with Ezra standing on his own and adding more words to his vocabulary. …