I was Incredulous. That already it was Tuesday morning, with the Easter break over. That already it was 5:14. Now 5:45. Time to get up. I was Mother. Warming the oatmeal, pouring the orange juice, parceling out the vitamins. Calling the children to breakfast. I was Late. Muttering at the red light. At the driver […]
Read moreIt happens– easily– once a week, and this despite the fact that I do laundry Almost Daily. I just don’t do white loads daily, and herein lies the problem. This morning was, apparently, the foreordained day for the weekly occurrence: Will standing somewhere on the first floor of the house, barefooted, announcing to me that […]
Read moreAfter going to bed Too Late last night After waking up at 5:24 and getting up at 5:43 and reading the story of the parting of the Red Sea After showering and dressing and feeding the kitties, after setting the table for breakfast and tidying the kitchen and writing notes on napkins After fleeing the […]
Read moreI was raised watching Little House on the Prairie. You know the show, right? It was on the air for a Long Time, and we watched it religiously on Monday nights, 8 p.m. sharp. I grew up with Laura, really, and rooted for her in those schoolyard fights with Nellie Olsen, and rooted for Ma […]
Read moreMy children had a half-day of school today. I did not, which was fine, and important, and good. But it occurred to me more than once– I will admit it here– that I would have liked to be a “normal mother” today: to drive over to the school after their half-day and pick them up […]
Read moreGrey-brown fingerprints all along the lowest part of the molding that forms the arch between the living room and “red room.” The boys have learned to leap up and grab this molding and cling to it for a minute, testing the strength in their upper arms and shoulders. It is an impressive feat that makes […]
Read moreEmma Grace: I don’t really have any arch-enemies. Everett: I have Tons.
Read moreOn the evenings when we are less busy than we are other on evenings, I read aloud to my children. Currently we are reading a delightful book: Peter Pan in Scarlet. It is a new book (2006), and William received it for a gift and then read it last year, often laughing out loud as […]
Read moreA friend sent me this poem today and, although I had never read or heard it before, I find that I know it well. Night sounds At night your children askin cries for you to come to them In the space between sleep and lightyou pull on a baby sling, tuck in small fingerssoothing who […]
Read moreI think it’s important. I spent every July with my mother’s parents as I was growing up, and I regret not one minute of it. I never went to camp; I didn’t get a summer job until I graduated high school; my summers at home amongst my friends were shortened by a month. But I’m […]
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