After a long three-day weekend snot fest Mike and I escaped the sick kids and went out to lunch. Over pork belly tacos I told him, “I like hanging out with you.” He said, “Am I still your favorite even though I always see you hanging out with that young, good-looking guy?” I leaned inContinue reading “More Basil Stories”
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Christmas Waltz Party
I whirled around the terracotta floors of my great room in Ed’s arms and enjoyed my evening of bliss. Mike doesn’t dance, so when Esther asked me for a Christmas party with waltzing and formal wear, Ed was the first person I invited. He looked dashing in his tuxedo, bow tie, cummerbund, knickerbockers, and knee-highContinue reading “Christmas Waltz Party”
Basil’s Shoes
Basil made me hyperventilate last week after our first adult Irish dance class on Tuesday. I signed myself up for classes last December when I was having a bad day. I told Kate, who answered the phone, “I’m an overweight, out-of-shape, middle-aged woman.” She replied, “Aren’t we all?” and I felt I had found myContinue reading “Basil’s Shoes”
Xenia is Staying!
Esther and John Ben stayed in Texas with his folks for a week before coming home on Christmas Eve, but first, they put Xenia on the connecting plane to Albuquerque. The first week of having her home was great fun as the kids reestablished their place in the pack. They all fought Xenia and eachContinue reading “Xenia is Staying!”
2023 In Review
Dear friends and family, Merry Christmas! We have all sorts of big news from 2023! Esther’s boyfriend John Ben Berry proposed to her over the 2022 Christmas break. Mike, the four youngest kids and I spent New Year’s in Albuquerque and decided to move back. We bought a beautiful house that was once aContinue reading “2023 In Review”
Skulls Are Not Roses
Xenia is coming home in less than a week! With no time left, I made it my afternoon mission to seek out and buy phyllo dough to make baklava. Xenia’s walnut allergies are so bad that I can’t use my kitchen to chop walnuts when she is home. I missed the Middle Eastern store onContinue reading “Skulls Are Not Roses”
Confusion Makes Good Comedy
The two men were smiling when they said goodbye to me and walked out the front door. I paused the Hallmark Christmas movie, put my pen down next to the stack of Christmas cards, and stood up to see them out. Mike came in from the courtyard a few minutes later and told me howContinue reading “Confusion Makes Good Comedy”
Church Building
Adjectives can’t fully describe our new church building, but my two favorites so far are Matushka Ingrid’s “Glorious,” and LouAnne’s “Breathtaking!” It’s the most beautiful place I have ever worshipped, and yet during our first liturgy, my thoughts drifted to the people who weren’t there. There were a lot of people missing in the crowdContinue reading “Church Building”
Basil’s Birthday and Updates
When I’m outside toasting smores with Mike and the boys, I wish for music, but when I imagine music, I imagine myself strumming easy chords on a new guitar with everyone singing happy praise music or campfire songs. Esther took my guitar as a birthday present last May, so we have sat in companionable silenceContinue reading “Basil’s Birthday and Updates”
Xenia’s Ohio Adventure
Xenia wrote this blog in my voice and did a great job. She declared my rough draft too boring and demanded that I publish her scribble with nothing changed. Notes: Xenia has been in Ohio for four days and likes her new school and new circumstances. She mentions Kelly in the last paragraph. Kelly isContinue reading “Xenia’s Ohio Adventure”
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