Blog Archives
A Rocker For All Ages
Rocking chairs have survived the test of many generations and a
million sleepless nights. They come in fine wood, soft supple
upholstery and even woven and painted. Yes, they all, each and
every one of them, find a way into someone's memory, a plesant
moment of the past, and a safe refuge for the future.
Rocking chairs have rocked new moms with day-old babies, healed
broken hearts and wounded pride, and then eased the pains of
getting old.
Whether you place a rocking chair on the back porch, ...Read the rest of this entry »
The Test
The Test Helaine Iris © 2002
'The family'that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never
quite escape nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to'.
Dodie Smith
As I reflect on the week I spent with my family celebrating the
holiday season I am awed and humbled by the precarious balance
of emotions when family comes together. I was looking forward to
my parents, children and extended family gathering at my newly
renovated home to spend a few days of laughter, connection and
great food.
My ...Read the rest of this entry »
All I Want for Christmas is My Son Back
The holidays are upon us ' and how they churn up our emotions.
The expectations ' the memories ' the empty chairs ' Somewhere
there's the Norman Rockwell family celebrating, but it was
never at my house. Was it at yours?
A client and I have in common the loss of beautiful young men on
the cusp of adulthood -- my youngest son, who died at 21, 3
years ago; her younger brother, who died at 17, much longer ago
than that, and yet it was only yesterday. I share with her my
poem saying it is the ...Read the rest of this entry »
Holiday Baking - The Easy Way
Baking to many of us is fun and form of therapy. Many
frustrations have been worked out kneading and pushing that
dough around. But to others, it may be difficult, or they are
not sure of themselves around cookies, cakes, breads, rolls,
etc. One quick-word of advice - just dive right in - its fun,
and the more you bake, the better you become at it. With
Christmas and get-togethers coming in bloom, sharing baking can
be a fun event. Early in the Seaon, family, friends, neighbors,
and offices and ...Read the rest of this entry »
The Best Gifts
Malls are everywhere - in every town, city, village and nook.
They house thousands of storefronts and assorted units. The
products they stock are numerous and the array is mind-boggling.
There are items for the home, clothing, jewelry, plants,
furniture, and gift assortments to pick and choose from. All
these offerings lack one very special component - a personal
touch. There is absolutely nothing wrong with purchasing a
ready-made item - we are not all carpenters, gardeners, and
artists. All ...Read the rest of this entry »
Bring The Seashore Inside
It's vacation time and families everywhere are 'getting away'
for a week-end or longer. Many go to a waterfront get-a-way so
that they can enjoy hot, soft sand, cool breezes, and water
activities. There is so much for every age-group to do when it
comes to oceans, lakes, or smaller water areas. If you are into
surfing, fishing, or water-skiing then these are perfect
destinations. When you have children with your group, what can
they do to pass the time when the water gets a little too
chilled, ...Read the rest of this entry »
A GREAT TIME FOR A HOLIDAY
Holidays are a blessing to some and others dread their arrival.
Why do we have Holidays? Surely celebrating a big event like the
Fourth of July or Christmas is definitely time to bring out the
decorations and prepare meals fit for a king or queen. But does
everyone feel the same - are there always smiles and
anticipation?
Holidays were created as a respite from our day to day workabout
world. Even our founding fathers realized that pioneers and
settlers needed that 'time out'. All through the ...Read the rest of this entry »
A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED ICE CREAM SOCIAL
You may have attended an ice cream social at your local church
or even in your town meeting hall. Your grandmother may have
told you about the ones she went to as a small girl or your
parents took you to some when you were young. Now, let your own
children, as well as neighbors, friends, and relatives enjoy
this form of entertaining.
It is relatively simple to host an ice cream social. Just make
sure to serve plenty of smooth, creamy scoops of luscious
flavors of ice cream and a table filled ...Read the rest of this entry »
All My Love And Devotion
They met at a dance in 1931, and six months later, on January
30, 1932, were married. I am speaking of my Nana and Pop,
(grandparents), who for sixty years were not just married, but
were in love. Really IN LOVE.
I have chronicled their love through some very touching cards,
(I found them in a box, tucked away with a lifetime of
memories), that were shared between them before and after my
father was born. Most are from my Grandfather to my Grandmother.
He drove and worked and she was home so ...Read the rest of this entry »
The Friend
'Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me.' That's the kind of thing
that I used to say when I was a kid. 'Well then, you might as
well go eat worms.' That's the kind of answer my mom would give
me. Eat worms? For crying out loud! No wonder I am the way I am.
See, it's my mom's fault that I didn't have any friends'nobody
wants to hang around with a kid who eats worms. I had even tried
to tell her this well-known fact. Would she listen? Noooooo.
Well, maybe my mom knew what kind of a complainer she ...Read the rest of this entry »
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