It’s early morning, and as I walk down the hall in a funk, heading for the kitchen and my caffeine source, my feet hit something solid. And furry. It’s a dog. Mr. Magoo, the pug wants his breakfast. Now. “You’ll have to wait,” I mumble as I continue my zombie-like shuffle toward the kitchen, but something larger bumps my knees.... READ MORE >
One morning in June, as I relaxed at the living room window drinking coffee, my husband pointed out the abundant froth of white flowers on a June berry tree growing near the house. “Might be a bumper crop,” we both decided and kept our eyes on it. As the blossoms died and small berries formed, we watched. After all the... READ MORE >
I opened the front door to see a long-legged black animal being led toward me. Our new dog had arrived with wagging tail and friendly eyes. She was bigger than I expected even though I’d been told of her size. “Oh my, she’s big!” was the only thing I could think of to say. Our new dog’s name is Abby.... READ MORE >
I gaze at a small thicket of trees and underbrush. After lugging several wheelbarrows of old grass and leaves to the compost bin, I am taking a break and resting on the garden shed steps. The June day is foggy but warm. Birds twitter and tweet. The birdsong-filled air reminds me of a conversation at a recent ladies’ luncheon. Everyone... READ MORE >
The loon call echoes across Lac des Mille Lac and is answered by a loon on the other side. The two sounds resonate through the night air in a beautiful duet that echoes far and wide and is joined by another loon. Another joins the chorus and yet another until the entire night resonates with the lovely sounds of loon... READ MORE >
It was a very bad time to buy groceries— Saturday afternoon. I wove my way through throngs of exuberant young campers stocking up on Mountain Dew, wondering why the store was so busy. Then it hit. Summer has finally arrived, I realized. Memorial Day officially starts off the summer season and here in Cook County, that means an influx of... READ MORE >
“Did you say something?” My spouse asks. “No.” I look up from the grocery list I’m compiling. “I didn’t say anything.” “Yes, you did.” He insists. “You were talking.” I glance again at the sheet of paper on which I’d been writing. There, in plain black ink, are the five items on my grocery list …green beans…rye bread…baking powder… laundry... READ MORE >
I recently vacationed in an Arkansas RV park. Back home in Cook County, winter continued its icy grip, but in the Ozarks, trees were green, hordes of birds fluttered and chirped in the trees and herons fished in the White River, a stones’ throw away from our RV site. It was lovely. The RV life fits me like a glove,... READ MORE >
There it was, lying on top of a stack of junk mail—a real, honest-to goodness personal letter. Only three people send me snail-mail, two cousins and my granddaughter. My name and address were written in blue ink on the envelope, which held one sheave of paper, folded neatly, covered with handwriting, also in blue ink. I pulled it out to... READ MORE >
“Do you know there’s a coupon for that peanut butter?” The friendly checkout lady chirped. Inwardly, I gnashed my teeth. Yes, I knew, but it was sitting on my kitchen counter, safely tucked in the envelope labeled Groceries. I answered in a depressed voice, “Yes, but I left it at home.” “Well,” she gave a kindly smile. “Don’t worry. I’ve... READ MORE >
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