Category: sister

A Good Dog Neighbor

Posted in animal shelter, best, California, dogs, humor, memoir, neighbors, outdoors, park, phone call, relationships, sister, sonLeave a comment

(re-run) Yesterday my son and I had lunch at the local sandwich shop. He brought his little dog, half Chihuahua, half terrier. I fed Violet scraps of lettuce under the table while we ate. She thinks she’s a vegetarian. Afterward, we followed the usual routine and came back to my house, where Violet could run… Continue reading A Good Dog Neighbor

When CPR Class Pays Off

Posted in baby, Camporee, college essays, CPR training, dogs, Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout leader, Girl Scouts, Gold Award, Heimlich maneuver, memoir, sisterLeave a comment

(re-run) In my previous married life long ago, I was a Girl Scout leader for my youngest child and the girls her age at her elementary school.  I was supposed to get CPR training, so I went to the classes and got certified.  Maybe someday I’ll need it while doing a scout activity. As it… Continue reading When CPR Class Pays Off

Date with an Older Man

Posted in aging, best, California, dancing, dating, dogs, exercise, friends, girl friends, gym, hiking, holidays, humor, relationships, sister, Spanish, surpriseLeave a comment

(re-run) I said yes. To a date. With a much older man. My girlfriend met him and didn’t approve. But she also said she wouldn’t dance with any guy she wouldn’t want to kiss. I dance with everyone – men, women, kids – many of whom I would never put my lips on.  Does dancing… Continue reading Date with an Older Man

The Gun at Grandma’s House

Posted in bedroom, childhood, church, grandma, guns, memoir, relationships, religion, sister, Sunday dinner, VictorianLeave a comment

(re-run) The thing was cold, black, and heavy. Even though I was just a kid, maybe nine or ten, I knew a gun when I saw it. I’d been jumping on Grandma Nellie’s bed. The pillow had fallen on the floor. The gun was under the pillow. I put everything back the way I found… Continue reading The Gun at Grandma’s House

The Gun at Grandma’s House

Posted in bedroom, childhood, church, grandma, guns, memoir, relationships, religion, sister, Sunday dinner, VictorianLeave a comment

(re-run) The thing was cold, black, and heavy. Even though I was just a kid, maybe nine or ten, I knew a gun when I saw it. I’d been jumping on Grandma Nellie’s bed. The pillow had fallen on the floor. The gun was under the pillow. I put everything back the way I found… Continue reading The Gun at Grandma’s House

Build Me Up, Buttercup

Posted in 1968, chorus, commercials, daughter, female bonding, Foundations, go-go boots, Gong show, judges, memoir, singles' club, sister, ski club, talent show, yellowLeave a comment

(re-run) There’s a Geico commercial for motorcycle insurance that starts out with the introduction to one of my favorite songs – Build Me Up, Buttercup. Of course, I have to sing along. Buh, buh-duh, buh buh buh-duh, buh, buh-duh, buh buh buh-duh . . . Why do you . . . build me up, buttercup… Continue reading Build Me Up, Buttercup

The Gun at Grandma’s House

Posted in bedroom, childhood, church, grandma, guns, memoir, relationships, religion, sister, Sunday dinner, Victorian1 Comment

The thing was cold, black, and heavy. Even though I was just a kid, maybe nine or ten, I knew a gun when I saw it. I’d been jumping on Grandma Nellie’s bed. The pillow had fallen on the floor. The gun was under the pillow. I put everything back the way I found it… Continue reading The Gun at Grandma’s House

Build Me Up, Buttercup

Posted in 1968, chorus, commercials, daughter, female bonding, Foundations, go-go boots, Gong show, judges, singles' club, sister, ski club, talent show, yellowLeave a comment

There’s a Geico commercial for motorcycle insurance that starts out with the introduction to one of my favorite songs – Build Me Up, Buttercup. Of course, I have to sing along. Why do you . . . build me up, buttercup baby, just to let me down, and mess me around . . . This… Continue reading Build Me Up, Buttercup

Best Ed Sullivan Show Ever

Posted in Beatles, best, Colorado, crush, fame, friends, humor, Iowa, junior high school, memoir, music, phlebotomist, relationships, sister, TVLeave a comment

(re-run) Carol grew up in in Pueblo, Colorado, which was called the little Pittsburg of the West. Her dad was a steelworker. Her mom was a lab tech phlebotomist at the hospital. Whenever one of the kids got sick, her mom would bring home a hypodermic needle in her purse to draw some blood. “To… Continue reading Best Ed Sullivan Show Ever

The Day Grandma Got Woke

Posted in 13th, Black Lives Matter, California, celebrities, documentary, Ellen, Emmett Till, George Floyd, get woke, history books, Iowa, Jewish, memoir, mom, racist, sister, Trail of Tears, White FragilityLeave a comment

(re-run) My mom loved to watch Ellen. It’s usually fun and games, with hunky guys and Ellen playing tricks on her guests and staff. She rounded out the hour with lesbian jokes, a musical performance by some obscure band, and Ellen surprising some needy but giving person with $10,000 in cash. Then the death of… Continue reading The Day Grandma Got Woke