Bears, Mamas, and Mama Bears

It Was February. Bears Hibernate in February.  Love, Claws, and Flying Children “We were tent camping in Yosemite,” Amy told us, sharing a great story in her inimitable style. “And I woke up in the middle of the night to this shuffling sound, along with this snuffling sound, and I knew–I just KNEW–that a bear […]


A Strawberry’s Grace

A Goblet of Summer’s Grace A Summer’s LessonIn my youth, strawberries rewarded effort. We washed them, we sliced them, we sprinkled them with a bit of sugar, then we enjoyed them, lifted up to lips parched with the waiting for that first sweet taste. Sometimes we spooned them over ice cream, or slid a ladle’s […]


Buddy’s Slumber Party

My Buddy, Buddy.  His Master’s Call“Who does that chocolate lab belong to?” I asked Rich as I returned, that summer a few years ago, from a Saturday’s trip to San Diego. I sat on the rocker on our front deck, where I’d plunked myself upon my arrival. He stood in the front yard, hose in […]


Grounds for Humility

Surplus Vases.  Contingency Planning: The Coward’s “Virtue”“We need another vase,” I said to my sister-in-law. “I’ll poke around and see what I can find.” I scanned the cabinets in her mother-in-law’s kitchen, looking for a vessel that we could commandeer to hold flowers.   There. That glass pitcher will do.  Hmmm. We can use that […]


Bloodbath

The Water Shimmered So.  “Your Father begged me to teach you to steer clear of that lake,” Mama said. “I know it looks clean, cool, and inviting–lots of fun. But if you swim in it, it leaves a terrible stink on you. It’s dangerous. You need to stay away from it” I shrugged. “Okay, Mama,” […]