Author Archives: jthere

Infrastructure: The system of public works of a country, state or region As I start preparing (and worrying) about next week’s holiday: the supermarket was out of canned pumpkin I need for pie; how will V survive his first long car ride in two years? ; best of all B will be home for theContinue reading “an ode to infrastructure”

I just got my hair cut really short to get rid of the last of the colored part up top. Like many women, I recently stopped coloring my hair but it was less about the pandemic and more to try to eliminate the dry itchy scalp I have from years of harsh products. I haveContinue reading “Aging Gratefully”

November is the month for giving thanks and we’ve started early this year. Flooded with appreciation for the 12 wonderful years we’ve had with Ruby. We have unofficially entered the hospice stage. T made the call to the vet to ask about putting her to sleep. Although she might be around for a few moreContinue reading “Giving Thanks and Saying Goodbye”

Changing colors on the trees, crisp air and apples, cool weather perfect for walks. What’s not to love about this time of year? And yet at October’s end I always look with some dread towards November, when we switch the clock back and it’s dark earlier. Although it does have two of my favorite holidays,Continue reading “Late Autumn”

I listen to public radio a lot; it’s an engaging companion when I’m doing household tasks that need to get done. WNYC, my local station, just finished their annual pledge drive. I donate a modest sum for all that good listening. Yet I find the constant asking for money interrupting my favorite programs so annoying,Continue reading “giving and getting”

Flying solo x 2: Yesterday T left for Portland to visit B, the first time he has seen him since he moved in April; also the first time he’s been on a plane since he flew to Seattle nearly 3 years ago.  I’m so happy for him, that he and B will have the nextContinue reading “Flying Solo”

Settling back in from a glorious vacation the to do list for V comes barreling towards me. These are tasks that fully consume my time and energy. It is why my answer to being asked if I work is, “Yes, I just don’t get paid.” It’s a bit too harsh though I realize, and servesContinue reading “To Do/Overdone”

Back from a wonderful trip to Portland. B is great and so is his chosen city. Beautiful architecture, gardens and parks, delicious food, friendly people – even in cars they’re cordial out there! – stunning roses, the only thorn being the huge homelessness problem. Portland has the highest homeless population per capita of any USContinue reading “PDX-ewr: returning”

EWR-PDX Friday September 24th 11 am has been imprinted on my brain for the past month like a beacon of hope, that thing to look forward to that has kept me going. That is when I am scheduled to depart from Newark for Portland to visit B for four days. I’ve been so excited toContinue reading “away at last”

We often communicate with abbreviations or brevity as placeholders when we don’t want to get into the details. How are things going? “Hanging in there” is my favorite response. It keeps things vague, not too negative. But in leaving out the details there is so much I don’t share, and with that, so much thatContinue reading “the details”