Love, Abundance, Gratitude, Ann In A Jam, The Book. Annie and I say these things to ourselves and to each other every day. Last week, my phone chimed. Annie, in her usual humor was all over it, “Hey! Who texted you? You can tell me! Could it be…your Lover?” “Heh. Nope. It’s work…again. Another gig. Tuesday. Can I fit it in? Can you take on both of the girls that day?” “Yes I can take them on that day. And…
Back in October of 2017 I learned that my childhood friend, one of my first friends, had brain cancer. I wrote a piece about it. Here it is: http://paterfamiliasdomesticus.com/an-unexpected-visit-from-the-ghosts-of-my-childhood/ This morning I learned that he passed away. In a crisis or an emergency, or emotionally charged situation, I tend to be the calm cool and collected one. I take a step back and start seeing what needs to happen, what I can quietly do. I think it’s a quality that…
I live in a small city called Lodi (pronounced Low-Die! Get it right people!). It’s an old city. It was founded as a village in the Pleasant Valley District. At the time, Wisconsin was still a territory and hadn’t attained Statehood. The city’s founder, Isaac Palmer picked the location because of the water potential provided by Spring Creek. A saw mill and later a grist mill were both powered by Spring Creek. Lodi was literally built around Spring Creek. Our…
Over the past year I’ve noticed Fred Rogers returning: two documentaries in 2018 and an up & coming movie. Why? On its face, I suppose it’s due to the anniversary of his program’s debut. But I’d like to think there are deeper reasons. These are uniquely nasty times. We have folks making offensive statements, not to compel thought, but simply to hurt. We have Internet trolls who strive only to divide Political opinions have become grounds for ending friendships The…
“Mom? Dad? Is Santa real?” Here’s a summary of what was actually a much more clumsy, clunky and long-winded reply. We can only wish our reply was this succinct. “Yes. Yes he is. He is real, he is real in a lot of different ways and forms. He’s a spirit, an elf, a concept. He is generosity and Love and giving. He is wonder and magic. We can all be Santa, we all keep him strong. We do it…
Two days ago, on Halloween, I rounded a corner and stopped to watch my little girl sitting perfectly still with her eyes closed. Annie was kneeling in front of her applying vampire makeup. With each passing moment, sitting still was becoming a greater challenge. Lyd was fighting back the urge to jump up to look in the mirror to see how scary she was starting to look. I admired the moment, and thought, “I just got another hooklet.” Confused?…
Last summer we were at a Pool Party. Family attended, as well as extended family, and friends who have practically become family. We had plenty of persons to socialize with, and there was an entire mob of children for our daughters to run with, jump with, climb with, and swim with. The girls practically forgot we existed that day, only grudgingly accepting the Chinet plates of grilled food we forced down their throats. At one point I was between conversations,…
“What time do you plan on heading off to your class reunion?” “Ugh. I don’t know. Not sure I want to go anymore. I think I’ll just stay in.” “Why?” I shifted from one foot to the other and shrugged. “I don’t know. I…just, I don’t recall making that big of an impression back then. Like I’m not worthy of attending, I wasn’t exactly a key fixture with my class. What if everyone is insane successful while I’m there, just…
“Brooks, look at this.” Annie held out the baby monitor for me as I slipped on my reading glasses. Regina had not fallen asleep yet. She had a different plan–She ALWAYS has a different plan. She was right up close up to the camera, struggling to maintain her balance as she wrestled her body into a pair of footie pajamas that were much too small. Something like this happens nearly every night. We tuck her in and have the following…
Annie has been spending an awful lot of time in the kitchen lately making jam for her budding business. My primary job is to keep the girls out of the kitchen. I’ve been in the living room with them, playing the part of a hockey goalie; blocking the kitchen entry way, bouncing them back into the living room, doing my best to keep the girls from being underfoot as Annie walks around with racks of boiling hot jars. Earlier this…