She’s crying. “My throat hurts.” I feel her forehead and then go rummage in the bathroom drawer–through dumped Band-Aid boxes, ointments, alcohol wipes, the outer ring of an adhesive tape roll, a plastic medicine cup, a nasal syringe, and spilled cough drops to find the thermometer. “Open your mouth.” I shine the flashlight into […]
God Doesn’t Like Fun
I should be prepping for the class I need to teach. But here’s the episode of I Love Lucy where Lucy and Ricky meet. And then the one where Lucy races the horse. Then the one where the whole gang along with Fred MacMurray hunt for uranium. I hear Grace in the kitchen. She’s laughing […]
For When You’re Exhausted
I haven’t sat outside for a while, but this morning looks so inviting. I can’t bring myself to put on the pink sweatshirt my mom gave me to wear on my outings. So I go as I am–a sight to behold to behold the sights. The white robe’s in the dryer, so I slip on […]
Under the Pew
The grand girl’s played hard basketball today, dosed well with decongestant strips and Tylenol Meltaways. While she bathes, I fill a plastic container with popped corn, sprinkle it with some of the white cheddar seasoning she likes. (This is the second bag. Did you know that hot popped corn will melt a baggie?) I […]
When You Have to Wait
He eyes the table near the buffet. “No,” I say. “Over there. By the window.” I sit facing outside. “You’re not going to eat all that,” he says. “Watch me.” I watch him eat. And eat. And eat. I pull the big girl camera out of my purse. As long as I have to wait, […]
Waiting with Courage
The rain’s shredded the white and left only scraps. The birds flock to the feeder, smother it. They dance on bare limbs. It’s easier to see them in winter. I suspect a lot of things become more clear in winter. I’ve got work to do, but I’d rather be here. In front of the window. […]
For When We Fail
It’s half an hour to the game. On good roads. The game starts at 10:20. I want to leave by 9:30. I’m up, showered, dressed. I yell up the stairs at 9. The roads don’t look so good. At 9:30, he’s shoveling, and I’m muttering. At 9:40, he comes in, putters in the basement. My […]
Waiting for Spring
The highway stretches and bends white. The grandgirls are riding with us. Grace is playing with her new Kindle Fire, and it sounds like she’s spraying paint in the back seat. Then it’s quiet, and she is reading. She shows me where she’s highlighted some words. Lillee sleeps. I amuse myself by snapping pictures […]
Christmas Has Gone, and I’m Glad
The world changed overnight. This morning it hangs all wet and white. Pines bow to the weight, and the snow pillows soft on the hardwood branches, nestles in the crooks of tree arms. It still falls, silent. It’s a wonder. Christmas has come. And gone. And I’m glad. The gift-giving, it gets me every […]
Shrink Wrapped
My dad does not like wreaths. Not even at Christmas. He tells me that when he was a child, a wreath hung on a door meant death within. He and his friends would make a wide berth as they passed by, silent. He does not like cemeteries, either. And wonders at my fascination with them. […]
