parenting – Going On 40

Start A Riot

“I made a mess, Mom. You want me to make more a mess?” My sprite of a toddler is cocked, loaded and ready to fire. So I say, “Sure!” Then, through the air fly a string of toy cars, dolls, and puzzle pieces. It’s not about the mess. I repeat. It’s not about the mess.Continue reading “Start A Riot”

I See Dead People

For those of you not privy to the characteristics of seed swap attendees, think of a cross between Renaissance fairgoers, commune guitar pickers, and librarian tote-slinging afternoon tea drinkers. Where I fall may be a mashup of all three. As the vest-wearing creators of the event cuddled up to smile for a selfie, I imaginedContinue reading “I See Dead People”

Duck, Rooster!

“The circle, the circle of life.” To start this tale, I declare that nature is a toilet to us all: The bats and the bees, the buffaloes and the bunnies. All allow their excrement to return home to whither it once sprung. But this, my confidants, has nothing to do with the deposits of animals.Continue reading “Duck, Rooster!”

Nitwit Lice Lessons

I pushed six wheelbarrows full of browning and yellowing fallen leaves into the slippery, muddy muck of the duck pen. Not often do the ducks wag their tails, but at seeing the piles of leaves, their back ends happily swished to and fro like fans on a hot day. Did you know that lice eggsContinue reading “Nitwit Lice Lessons”

Puddly Boots

I have a last-minute cuddly buddy in bed with me; messy red-headed, milk-guzzling, four days away from three-years-old, Evelyn. She had a belly ache from three toddler-sized bowls of tomato soup, but after milk and the offer to stay in my bed with me, she’s feeling better, and giggling and rubbing herself in the coversContinue reading “Puddly Boots”

Walking Into Spiderwebs

The limp fishing lines of spider webs with their weighty beads of dew are welcoming fall in like enthusiastic Walmart greeters. As the wind whips leaves free, I lay in the hammock swinging, wondering how I can communicate the depth of my love for this season. Evelyn’s 35-lb body is limp on mine. At theContinue reading “Walking Into Spiderwebs”

Damned If I

I’m that fan of myself, the one with an absurdly large number one finger on my hand, but just as quickly, I will back myself into a corner with the snarling, foaming mouth of a pit bull. That’s because “Sometimes you’re the windshield. Sometimes you’re the bug.” For part of today, I felt like a big, red,Continue reading “Damned If I”

Wayward Frogs

“Come Mama, follow me. Jump in da pud-dle!” My daughter’s imagination is legit. So I follow and jump onto a blanket that’s splayed out in the middle of the rug. Still, people’s voices will play in my head. “That age was my favorite” and “Enjoy it while it lasts.” Instead of helping, their words tormentContinue reading “Wayward Frogs”

Not Today

Today, the 5-year-old neighbor girl swung on the swings and jumped on the trampoline with Evelyn. When they ran together across the field, Brighton turned to Evelyn and posed the question of all questions. “Do you want to be my friend?” I couldn’t help but hold my breath, the mother in me felt protective forContinue reading “Not Today”

Margarita Villa

Coffee shops used to be a destination, not just a driveby. I’d sustain myself for hours with a backpack filled with a charger, laptop, phone, book, and a little cash. I’d start off with a coffee, level up to a pastry, and if I sat long enough get a soup or panini. I miss theContinue reading “Margarita Villa”