I’ve mentioned before that I often find myself weepy when I’m in Ireland. If you know me at all, you’re aware that’s atypical of me. I’m not known to be a crier. On the occasions that I do get teary, it’s likely to be about children and animals, not songs or physical gestures. Last week, though, … Continue reading Writer’s tears
Tag: observations
An eternal present
So far, the wettest thing (other than the Irish Sea - more on that in a minute), has been my cheeks. There’s something about being in Ireland, regardless of the number of times I’ve visited, that makes me weepy. When I visited Ireland the very first time, all flights from the states stopped at Shannon … Continue reading An eternal present
Hey, 19
My youngest son recently began his last year as a teenager causing me to deeply exhale. I’ve been parenting teenagers for about 14 years now and frankly, I’m exhausted. There have been a lot of challenges and poor decisions made along the way, on both sides, and while I'm not one to wish time away, … Continue reading Hey, 19
Soaking in dry January
Now that the first month of the new year is firmly in the rear mirror, it’s time to reflect on how things went during my very first attempt at avoiding alcohol (and other legal adult substances) for 31 days. As far as experiments go, I’d have to say that this one was a bit of … Continue reading Soaking in dry January
For lost girls looking to be found
Although I read a lot of books (I’m on my 11th of this new year already), it isn’t often that I find one which speaks to whom I was as a young teen and whom I am now strive to be as a school librarian. Katie Van Heidrich’s memoir, The In-Between, told in verse, manages to … Continue reading For lost girls looking to be found
Walking with Babs
A few weeks ago, as I anticipated the first snowfall of the season, Jeter and I headed out for what turned out to be a long walk. Before we headed out the door, I added layers and searched for a Spotify playlist, while Jeter paced impatiently. As I looked at the options on my Home … Continue reading Walking with Babs
Why try dry?
With 40+ years experience in the hospitality industry, along with a mother who was a bartender during my childhood, I’ve spent many an hour in bars and restaurant observing people imbibing alcohol. Of course, beginning as a young teenager, I also had plenty of my own personal experiences of drinking, be it shots of Jack … Continue reading Why try dry?






