Batting Average

There is much to recommend an older home. Our 1870’s New England frame house’s period features – the tin ceiling, the copper doorknobs, the wide pine floors – charmed us when we purchased it in 1986. But come summertime, the risks of an old home may outweigh the rewards. Once per year (and one desperate …

A Day in the Life

A motivating force for starting this blog was the arrival of Lo and my desire to record what she is doing and how I am feeling. I have already acknowledged that I remember too little of my own children’s’ childhoods. So, for the record, here is a recent typical day spent with Lo. 4:30 am …

Transitional Objects

If you have a teaspoon of knowledge about child development, you are aware that young children form attachments to certain objects and that these objects help the child “transition” from dependence to independence. My children had “blankies” which we called “nu-nus” but perhaps blankies have fallen from favor now that babies slumber in sleep sacs …

Keeping Busy

I admit to a personal flaw of needing to be busy and feel productive. All the time. In retirement, I expected that this compulsion would wane as I became adjusted to bounty of time (How I spend my Days). In fact, I fear it may have worsened. I now have many different roles and hobbies …

Where Sadness and Beauty can Coexist

If you have some unscheduled time in the near future, consider a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It is for sure one of the nation’s great museums. On a recent Sunday, Brian and I ventured forth to see three important current exhibits. I will warn you that taking on three major …

Kathy

She was just the roommate I needed. So determined was I to leave it all behind – my childhood, my rural home state, my teenage resentment with the conventionality of my high school and my narrow life– that I had applied and been accepted into a college I knew nothing about but for an offhand …

Lo grows

It is with mixed emotions that I announce Lo is leaving infancy behind to become a toddler. She is teetering, and I mean that literally, on the edge of walking. ​ ​ She has sprouted some molars and and has expanded her menu to include most things. She drinks from a cup. She can't talk …

Happy Trails

You know I am trying to walk more. B and I love a good nature walk but last year, on account of a stress fracture on account of my brief, but successful (ran 5K without stopping), running career, I was unable to take one single hike. Lucky for me, and all other locals, Concord has …

Life Goals

After I retired, I started making some annual goals. (Before I retired, I focused on getting through the work week.) These goals are in broad categories (health, financial, personal). Don't worry, I am not going to itemize these. Not only do I not want the accountability that comes from “going public,” I also like that …

Happy Birthday, Lo

Lo and Behold: Lo is a year old. It seems fitting on this occasion to enumerate a few of her many fine qualities. Thus, here are the the Top Ten Things About Lo at One Year. 1. As from birth, she remains a style icon. She remains comfortable in any style but her current vibe …