Yesterday was my middle son’s birthday. Delivering him was one of the greatest physical accomplishments of my life. Today is my mother’s 87th birthday. Being able to navigate to the place where the relationship she and I share resides, is one of my greatest emotional achievements. Once again this year, we have a pair of … Continue reading May Day musings
Tag: family
Traditional dinner
This week, as I always try to do prior to flying, I had dinner with all three of my sons. This most recent gathering was at a couple of favorite neighborhood spots. N and I started at Nicole’s for wine, taking advantage of their excellent Wine Down Wednesday special with a bottle of tasty Montepulciano … Continue reading Traditional dinner
The last of 14
Earlier this month one of my father’s last remaining siblings died at the fine age of 92. My aunt was one of 5 daughters, along with 9 sons, born to Conan and Mary McMenamin over a span of 23 years. Yes, my grandmother really was pregnant for the better part of a quarter century. Moms … Continue reading The last of 14
Sign your name
A lot has changed since I first began traveling to Europe. I’ve gone from having the heaviest piece of luggage in our friend group of 7 to being able to successfully pack for a 4 week trip in a small carry on bag. No longer do I have to watch every franc, guilder, pound or … Continue reading Sign your name
My Dublin home
Most people, I think, believe that restaurants are a place to spend some time and take a meal. I suppose for many this is the basic truth. For those folks, though, I feel sad because a quality experience in a restaurant is about so much more than what goes into your mouth. I’ll give you … Continue reading My Dublin home
Teen mom no more
After nearly 15 years of being the mother of a teenager, that chapter of my life quietly drew to a close earlier this month. Well, it was quiet for me. Since my son celebrated with friends in Oneonta, I can’t attest to the level of volume he actually experienced, but I imagine it was a … Continue reading Teen mom no more
When did America become “the country where I was born?”
The most simplistic answer would be that momentous event occurred on September 21st, 1966 in early morning when I made my debut at the (now defunct) Manhattan Infirmary.* Because, although neither of my parents were American citizens, and only one of them is even listed on my birth certificate, by birthright I was declared American, … Continue reading When did America become “the country where I was born?”






