Celebrated Summer
So my husband asked me why I call this blog “Celebrated Summer.” And here’s the answer: it just popped into my head. But the reference is to the Hüsker Dü song by the same name, first released in 1984. Here’s the info if you want to listen to it or read about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrated_Summer When […]
Endorphins for the endomorph
Note to my future selves: if ever I want to skip my mandatory exercise, don’t do it! Within 20 minutes of the walk I don’t want to take, particularly if I spent the afternoon riding the white horse of milky espresso drinks trying to catch that elusive happy buzz, I feel amazing! It might be […]
Every day in every way
Here’s a sad and funny story. You know what got me to finally stop smoking? (I mean, other than taking a very strong dose of a prescription drug that had an off-label use for smoking cessation.) Yellow teeth. I was about to start a graduate program in public health, and I had accidentally quit smoking […]
The Dad Thing
Those of you who know me well know that my father was not a daily figure in my life. But he played a bigger role than his monthly visits for most of my life would suggest. He’s been gone just over ten years now. And my thoughts on Father’s Day are now almost completely about […]
Sci-fi summer
This is one of those summers when I’m excited about going to the movies. While there are blockbusters every summer, and every Christmas, the lineup this year seems like the perfect (to me) mix of all my favorite themes – science fiction, superheroes, Steven Spielberg, with a dose of Harry Potter and J.J. Abrams. Yes, […]
Exhausted and absurd in the city
My daughter and I returned from our trip a couple of days ago, and I’m still a little out of it from all of the running around catching planes, trains, and automobiles in sweaty New York weather. We had a crazy trip, from almost the first moment we touched down. Upon reaching Manhattan, I opened […]
School’s out – forever?
My five-year-old son is about to graduate from preschool. It’s the same small preschool his older sister graduated from three years ago and the same one where I have been taking both children since they were two years old in toddler class. Seven years ago, when I first visited the preschool, I had no idea […]
All summer in a day
Here’s an excerpt from a trip we used to take to the mountains (from the summer of 2009): We are on our family vacation in the mountains two hours outside of Los Angeles. It’s our third year at the alumni camp for the University of California, Los Angeles, but it feels like our first. This […]
Po-town bound
I’m going to my college reunion in a couple of weeks. My college, Vassar, is in Poughkeepsie, New York. At this point I’m resigned to the trip, and on some days looking forward to it. But with all of the end-of-school-year activities, celebrations, and ceremonies to attend for both of my kids, plus the regular […]
