I am named after an aunt I never met. In my version of Jewish family, you don’t name babies after living people. Only after those who have passed. This is not true in all Jewish families. It depends on where… Read More ›
Family
SAYING NO TO BULLETS: THE FIRST TIME – BY ELLIN CURLEY
This is one of the funnier old family stories. My family believes that it documents the first time being a conscientious objector was used as a rationale to get out of military service. The concept didn’t exist in World War… Read More ›
WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM – Rich Paschall
When You No Longer Have a Home, Rich Paschall Jimmy knew it was not going to be easy. He had put it off for weeks, but after a while, the delay was just as hard as what he perceived the… Read More ›
MEMORIAL DAY: THEN AND NOW, THE DAY AFTER – GARRY ARMSTRONG
Time changes everything. It’s a given. Memorial Day is no different and that’s a shame. When I was a kid, Memorial Day was usually a family affair. It seems as if it was always sunny and warm for the gathering… Read More ›
THE PRICE OF FOOD, THE COST OF STAYING ALIVE – Marilyn Armstrong
This post started out as a comment to Rich’s piece, but it reminded me of all those years when the Fishery Department in New England begged the fisher-folks to hold back on fishing out the spawning areas. St. George’s banks… Read More ›
MORE PICTURES OF BONNIE – OUR SMALL BLACK SCOTTISH TERRIER – Marilyn Armstrong
Scotties can live a long time, though most pass some time between 12 and 16 years old. We lost Gibbs at the beginning of February, quietly, in his sleep on the sofa. Now, Bonnie is on her way to that… Read More ›
NUCLEAR VERSUS EXTENDED FAMILIES – BY ELLIN CURLEY
Most people assume that the nuclear family is the natural and best environment for bringing up children. We probably also assume that it’s been the norm forever. But both assumptions are wrong. Both historically and cross-culturally the extended family –… Read More ›
RELATIONSHIPS CAN GET EASIER WITH TIME – BY ELLIN CURLEY
I believe that one of the benefits of age and experience is that romantic relationships should be easier than when we were young. When I was young and married for the first time, I was insecure and didn’t know how… Read More ›
GROWING UP IN THE MIDDLE – Marilyn Armstrong
I was both the emotional and intellectual center of my family. I was also the middle child and the communicator. Everybody talked to me which is WHY I knew everything while everyone told me to never tell anyone about what… Read More ›
JEWELRY AS HISTORY, PART 2 – BY ELLIN CURLEY
I recently wrote a blog about how the jewelry I’ve collected over the years from other family members can trace our family history through the decades. I can also trace my personal history the same way, starting with the baby… Read More ›
HAMLET’S TRAGEDY – Marilyn Armstrong
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Shakespeare Act 1, Scene 3 LORD POLONIUS: Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self… Read More ›
LONG DISTANCE PARENTING – BY ELLIN CURLEY
I’ve had a long-distance friendship with Christine, who lives in London, for close to 50 years. I learned how to stay in close touch before texting and emails and Skype existed and when long-distance phone calls cost a fortune. I… Read More ›
HELLO, WE’RE HERE! – Rich Paschall
Now What? by Rich Paschall What do you do when friends come to visit? Do you plan a nice dinner? Do you stay in and cook or do you go out? Do you plan some activities or do you go… Read More ›
WHAT’S IN A NAME? – Rich Paschall
Would You Change Your Name? by Rich Paschall When I finally come around to writing a short story for SERENDIPITY, I usually get stalled at the beginning when I need to decide on character names. It seems to me that… Read More ›
THE SURPRISING CHRISTMAS – Rich Paschall
A family plus one holiday tale by Richard Paschall Kyle was coming home for Christmas. He was bringing with him his college roommate. The boys met during freshman year and became fast friends. Somehow they maneuvered the dorm manager into… Read More ›
DIRT – Marilyn Armstrong
My cleaning person was here yesterday. It was floor and shower day and right now, the house looks as good as it gets. I’ve been explaining to the dogs that they can’t be messy. If I’m going to pay for… Read More ›
