Just finished a twenty-minute standoff with Shuggie. It might have been twenty-five. I never looked at the time when the barking commenced. The dogs went out after dinner and, shortly thereafter, Bee returned but Shuggie did not. This could mean one of three things: she was pooping, she was eating Bee’s poop, or she was … Continue reading 2026 – In Like a … Ram
Life
It’s the Holiday Season, So Hoop-de-doo…
I made a decision this year that I was not going to be bound to the traditions of previous years. When my kids were younger, we alternated Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, drove to my mom’s for dinner – one year with the kids and the next year without. I’ve never particularly liked this routine. This year … Continue reading It’s the Holiday Season, So Hoop-de-doo…
Cry Me A River
8:40 a.m. Bee is trotting around the bed and creeping up on me, dipping her head close enough for a sniff but not close enough for me to reach out and touch her. Okay, girl, I’m getting up. There’s coffee in the kitchen and I’m ready to get this adventure started. 9:05 a.m. First sips … Continue reading Cry Me A River
Christmas Nostalgia
Got my glasses back on Friday. Friday was my day off but I had a haircut mid-morning and it was snowing the snow that, according to Todd, was not called for. There are many times where I don’t follow the weather forecasts until someone at work says something like, “I wonder if we’ll even be … Continue reading Christmas Nostalgia
Delivered Quietly
It’s the last day of November, Sunday, and it’s Turkey Day at our house. If only for us. After last year’s meltdown (mine) and a fed-up husband (Todd) we decided to dine out for Thanksgiving this year and make ourselves somebody else’s problem. So free turkey remained in the fridge until this morning, when I … Continue reading Delivered Quietly
Dear Bill
It’s been a long time since I last saw you, when mom and George went to visit you in Laguna Beach. Forty years to be exact. I loved that enclave you lived in, a little single-story apartment on a sweeping hill that rose up from the shore. It was my first trip to California. I … Continue reading Dear Bill
Yard Sale, Bourbon, and Takeout
I swore I’d never do it again. However, recent motivations like downsizing and attempting a more minimalist approach to the homestead, not to mention a Netflix documentary – the name of which escapes me today – about where our trash goes, led me to filling a giant box with stuff that “no longer serves” us. … Continue reading Yard Sale, Bourbon, and Takeout
Adapting – Part Two
So where does this leave me? Wanna guess? So, you might have noticed I crack jokes when I feel an emotional pull to lighten the mood. I actively avoid confrontation.* I get anxious, my heart rate goes up, fight or flight kicks in and I want to gloss over it if I can. HOWEVER, I … Continue reading Adapting – Part Two
An Uncommon Day Out
My return from vacation was not uneventful. Neph was still here when we arrived and NGF (new girlfriend) arrived soon after. They stayed until sometime Saturday, during which time Neph learned that his 90-year-old grandmother had passed away. But, before we get to that, I would like to mention that he prepared some sort of … Continue reading An Uncommon Day Out
Ocean City, Again
Where have I been? There are at least three posts you missed. Wait! Don’t look back. They’re not there, because they’re still in here *taps side of head*. I’ll get them out eventually. Maybe. We just returned from the annual Maryland State Firefighters Association (MSFA) conference. I’ve been piggybacking on this work trip for the … Continue reading Ocean City, Again
The Tara Chronicles 