“But I’ve been drinking cranberry juice.”
Seven months ago, my doctor’s office called about a blood test. Focused on my platelet count and thyroid numbers, I didn’t really pay attention to her other concerns. “The test shows you have a urinary tract infection,” she said. “But I’ve been drinking cranberry juice for years,” I said. “Cosmopolitans don’t count, Catherine.” “Besides, I [...]
Goodbye fourth grade
This is the last week of school. For two glorious months, my twin sons will enjoy a summer break before beginning the final year of their elementary career. Fifth grade, here we come. I cannot believe I’m old enough to have children going into fifth grade. Oh who am I kidding? The other day I [...]
What is Memorial Day all about?
For most people, next Monday is just another day off. It’s an occasion to sleep late, fry on the beach, or enjoy a few beers with belligerent cousins at a family barbecue. When our children were born, Husband and I started a new tradition of observing certain holidays by honoring the reasons they became holidays [...]
How to be a good wife – we can learn a lot from the 1950s
The Good Wife’s Guide, supposedly from a 1950s textbook, advises women on how to get along with their husbands. Read it here. You probably expect me to gripe about unenlightened days before Calgon took us away; a time when most women needed prescription drugs just to get out of bed each morning. Wrong! Where has [...]
Things I’ve learned from my Irish Catholic relatives
First of all, I recognize the redundancy of the title. One of the first things I learned was that if you’re Irish, you’re Catholic. Protestants are of British descent. And you’re supposed to say that with a very sad look, as if you pity the poor limey bastard. What about Irish Jews and Buddhists and [...]
When you grow older in the town you grew up in
Isn’t it fun running into people who know you from somewhere? If you are growing older in the same town you grew up in, surely you have conversations like this almost everywhere you go. It can’t just be me, right? With few exceptions, Blast From the Past and I relive our youth, determine how we [...]
My schedule when Husband is away – starting in three weeks
7am- Feel tickle, brush away, and curse Florida bugs. 7:02am- Feel tickle again, open eyes and see two smiling ten year-olds. Mutter “You’ve got to be kidding me with this 7am shit.” Roll over. 7:05am- Hear “Mommy, can we snuggle?” and give in because kids might play major-league ball one day. Pretend interrupted dream about [...]
How can you tell teachers are ready for summer break?
In about a month, school will be over. My children cannot wait. Me? I’d consider voting for a gun-toting, pro-life Republican (is there any other kind?) if he promised to make year-round schooling a reality. When I taught high school, I felt quite differently about summer vacation. And as much as I loved my students, [...]
How to enjoy a day at the beach with kids
I spent years wondering why so many people enjoyed the beach. Have you ever really looked at those tourists baking like lobsters in the heat of a summer’s day? They don’t look like they’re having fun. My parents dragged me to Anna Maria Island or Clearwater Beach a few times. I’d marvel at crowds of [...]
Disproportionately blessed...
Catherine Durkin Robinson
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