Month: December 2013

Hardware stores carry hammers, wrench sets, power tools and all the accessories. My husband loves to shop the aisles for himself and for anyone else he thinks needs a new tool. But tools did not capture his attention that afternoon. A career in architecture once enticed him. He has designed his own workshop, built furniture…

A week before Christmas and I finally know what I want to find under the tree. The first clue emerges on entering the house and the smell of smoke assaults the senses. The empty space on the counter hints of something missing. Waking up with a yen for a breakfast of eggs, toast and juice…

That morning the house exploded with energy, enthusiasm and cries of delight as the five, blue-eyed, blonde cousins rediscovered each other. Breakfast threatened to be bits and pieces of fruits and carbs gobbled on the run as the munchkins swirled through the downstairs. For a few moments, my daughter gathered the five around her in…

The grandchildren had finally succumbed to the long day of traveling. All three had fallen asleep in their car seats. They did not even awaken when we pulled into the darkened garage where their dad and sleek black cat, Pirate, waited to greet them. They did not care. Sleep had captured them so thoroughly. Dad…

Staff photographer Michael Orrell had his first Black Friday shopping experience last week. He gave me permission to share it with you. I have never gone to a Black Friday sale at Walmart. I swore I never would get involved with that craziness. But by mid-afternoon on Thanksgiving Day we realized we needed a couple…