We seem to run nine to twelve months behind the rest of the pandemic hobbyists. While everyone was gardening last spring, Nate and I planted our butterfly garden a few weeks ago. And when the grocery store shelves in the baking aisle were bare, I don’t know what we were…
The last night of Christmas vacation I was lying in Jake’s bed with him having just finished our book reading for the night. We’re deep into the 5 Ancestors series and it is sheer Chinese brotherly 1600’s Cantonese kung-fu bliss. As we said our goodnights, I asked Jacob if he…
A day or so ago, the Tooth Fairy finally showed-up and emptied the little kitchen glass where Jake’s never-ending tooth torrent temporarily tarries until she has time. We’re pretty sure she must have either had COVID, or has been in quarantine, as two teeth sat on the windowsill for close…
The pandemic life seems to have left some people questioning why they bathe so much, and by some people I mean the littlest person inhabiting our pod. He’s always enjoyed bath time and never put up a fight. But, a few months ago I noticed that after dinner, Nate would…
On Friday I take the boys for shots. The sharp kind, not the fun kind. It’s been so long that no one remembers what to expect. Apparently it’s been eons since those needles were put into the little dough-balls we called thighs. At lunchtime James admonishes me for trying to…
Nate’s go-to sayings continue to roll-in. “Pizza” is a common response to any question. He loves to find a reason to tell me, “I like your cut G.” He definitely says it with swagger. As far as I can tell, he’s talking about my haircut. Despite it being months since…
The monotony of the lockdown life… I find myself waking-up again. Making coffee again. Time to set the table again. Time for bed again. Mostly I find myself standing in front of the pantry cupboard, staring at the same shelves. The same snacks. I say, “I’m ready for this pandemic…
There have been many surreal milestones and unprecedented events this past year. While it seems like our days are dragging, they just keep coming. Sickening images of abuses of power. Store shelves empty. An uninhabitable temperature of 120 degrees on September sixth. Weeks of unnatural orange light and ash in place of rain. A…
Early in the pandemic I was a Bob Jones Trail die hard. James was home and so I’d submit a request for leave and hit the trail as often as I could. But these days I’m only free in the early evening and so the next best thing is what…
We’re deep into season three of Cobra Kai and are loving every karate minute. Except yesterday when there was an exceptionally brutal scene of a cruel Cobra kid named Hawk breaking Dimitri’s arm. Jacob was profoundly disturbed by the violence and stomped off close to tears. I’m grateful he could appreciate…