Category: Domestic Life
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We’re having a little party on Saturday
I’ve got to get ready Even though they won’t be coming, I feel my parents nudging me. I kick into Dad mode. Make a list and assign chores to anyone who is standing nearby or is expected to be standing nearby in the coming hours. Used to be that was my kids’ seasonal horror. “You…
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Adulting isn't easy
Even at my age! The weather is deliciously warm today, with a high in the 60s. There’s not a cloud in the sky- a perfect spring Hoosier day, albeit somewhat early. Too bad it had to be ruined. After my husband left to run errands this afternoon, I let the pup into the back yard…
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My new invasive species: AI
It’s February and my seed catalog browsing has ended. I‘ve decided to create a native perennial flower bed along a neglected side of the house and even have the seed packets in hand. Now it’s time to consider where each plant will spend the summer at my house. Writing the names of the plants on…
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Gorgeous flowers, with a little help from AI
I am starting to get over my Master Gardener imposter syndrome. I’m a teacher by training and vocation, so gardening has been a more recently developed hobby. But my knowledge is growing! After enjoying a bouquet of cut flowers sent by colleagues twice a month during the summer, my husband and I talked about whether…
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Ten things I love about being sick
And staying home from work is not one of them! At the risk of sounding positively toxic, there are some upsides to being sick for two and a half weeks over the holidays. I wouldn’t have seen them the week before last when I was hacking up half a lung from the deep, rumbling cough…
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The downside of multi-tasking
Another Kind of Canning Pickle Teachers can do anything, can’t they? I used to believe that teachers could tackle nearly any job and do it with aplomb. I mean, who else is adept at managing up to 150 kids in various grades and abilities, creating engaging lessons and activities to keep 90% of the class…
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What a pickle!
Oh, yes, my brain fog is sooo much better As retirees, my husband Jerry and I are somewhat new to the vegetable garden gig. This summer, we’ve tried various gardening gadgets and techniques. Winter sowing and cattle panels for climbing veggies have produced lots of tomatoes and cukes. But now in August, our dilemma has…
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Homemade jam, anyone?
It shouldn’t be this hard for a teacher! I can read, right? How did my ancestors, or even my mother do it? Making jam shouldn’t be such a challenge! Spring arrived and suddenly I was surrounded by friends who were sharing their plans for planting, canning, and freeze-drying their produce just as I was beginning to…
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It’s been a weird Christmas.
Pushing the pause button It’s been a weird Christmas. One spent exactly the opposite way I had hoped: home with family. In October– on the 7th actually– once again we broached the topic of canceling our long-anticipated holiday trip with friends to Egypt, Crete, and Israel. After a few days of ungluing ourselves to the…
