We wrote Jewels of June last month. It's always fun to have a little bling in our lives. And Happy Fourth of July, everyone! It's June 1st and the sun is as bright as a jewel. What happened to our usual June gloom? I'm feeling so sad and embarrassed for my country sad, angry, depressed, and hopeless. We have tickets to see Wonder Woman later this afternoon. I can't wait. Lynda Carter in the TV version was one of my heroes growing up. And this new movie is said to be flawless and powerful, a good example for girls. Definitely see Wonder Woman. Take your daughters, nieces, moms, grandmas and/or granddaughters! Support women's films! The men you know might like it too. Please accept my condolences for those who died during the attack in London on Saturday, and I wish speedy recoveries for the many who were injured - physically and emotionally. I am embarrassed by my president's attack at London's mayor. Cool, dark, breezy. Nothing jewel-like about this day. Not a bit … [Read more...]
Peach Ping
Last night at the end of our Father's Day dinner, our son asked me if I had my mom's recipe for Peach Ping. And he wanted to know if I would give it to him or better yet make it for him. I told him not only did I have the recipe; I would gladly make it. And that simple question brought up a very sad memory. The last time I made it was in August 2013, a few months before our dear friend Cynthia died. I made dinner for our group of friends, including Cynthia and her husband, and baked my mom's peach ping for dessert. That was the last time all eight of us were together. I found the recipe in my mother's recipe box. One of these days I will copy the recipes each one meticulously typed on now-yellowed four by six cards and publish them in a book to share with my family. Here's the recipe for Peach Ping: 10 to 12 peaches ½ cup butter or margarine 1-1/2 cups brown sugar, packed 1 tsp grated lemon peel 2 … [Read more...]
Father’s Day sadness
On this day I think a bit about my dad, but just a bit. He's been dead since 1975 - over thirty-seven years. He's vague in a lot of ways. Yet I still remember vividly his last year and half and his courageous battle against cancer. I think he waged the battle to please my mother. His own heart wasn't in it. Finally, and I was so proud of him for this, he said he was through. He just wanted more and more morphine to aid him in dying. That was the most courageous part. Standing up to her and dying on his own terms. Dad and Paul, 1973 What makes me more sad today is what Bob has been through. He was the father of three sons and now only one is living. His first son, Eric, was born with Down syndrome during his first marriage. He died in 2004 accidentally, choking on a peanut butter sandwich. Bob and Eric Our older son Paul was born perfectly healthy and was fine and brilliant until his first manic break at age twenty-one. He was then diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder. At age … [Read more...]
