thoughts from a freckle-faced pisces
When we lived in Maryland, The Big Daddy worked for The National Institutes of Health. Before you think it was some cush government job, let me tell you that we moved there on a salary of $24K a year and that’s not much anywhere, but a mere pittance on the east coast with a new … Read more
I was driving to the bank the other day and saw a couple running. So young and fit. So cute in their workout wear. Sigh. I wish I could be like that. And sitting at that stoplight I said to myself, “Speckled Trout, you need to get off your speckled ass and make that happen.” … Read more
When we were growing up and trying to pull a fast one on The Queen Mum, she’d listen to the whole improbable story and say, “You know, I wasn’t born yesterday.” This was her way of letting us know that she wasn’t in the market for bullshit and we’d better think long and hard about … Read more
When Maggie was but seven months old and we were living in Maryland, we decided on the spur of the moment to board a train to D.C. and watch the inaugural parade of George Bush. We loaded up the stroller and diaper bag and went with thousands of other people to the Capitol to participate … Read more
I came home early from work on Sunday and suggested to Mallie Bee that we get that Target shopping done that we’d been talking about. She was surprised by my early arrival as she was still in her jammies. I hustled her along. Let’s go. C’mon. You don’t need to look cute……….we’re only going to … Read more
I talked to my mother-in-law on New Year’s Eve to see how her holidays went. Okay, she said. “That shooting at that school, though. I couldn’t stop thinking about those families I didn’t feel much like celebrating.” Oh, yes. That dark, dark cloud that hangs over this nation of ours. Today I got in a … Read more
The kids were all here for dinner and Maggie was telling us about her friend who has become a doula. “Doula,” Will said. “What’s a doula?” Maggie and I filled him in on the deets, and then she told us that this long-time friend of hers is considering going back to school to become a … Read more
There has been a lot of opinions voiced in the last month regarding our gun laws. Or lack, thereof. I paid attention until the NRA declared “a major announcement” was coming, and then in all seriousness said we need an armed guard in every school. Good guy with gun kills bad guy with gun, snipers … Read more
***Man, if Mom finds out about this “rant” you are going to be on the s(&% list, but don’t worry, it’s safe with me! Love your Bro J *** Many years ago, Mark (he wasn’t The Big Daddy yet) and I celebrated New Year’s Eve with some of our friends and siblings. It was … Read more