Author Archives: jthere

Getting used to a full house after my time alone. V is back in school full time and there’s a lot to do in planning his future. I’m also on the board of directors for an organization affiliated with his school that has started a day program and is planning for residential services as well,Continue reading “planning mode”

I’m free. For the first time in 17 years I’ve had  the house to myself for a week. Wheee! Wild times at 152 High Street. Not. But I’m still grateful to have this time to myself.  T went to Seattle to visit B and family, and V is in a respite group home for theContinue reading “a week off”

In a week with a lot of bad news the story that most horrified me was the stabbing of the writer Salman Rushdie. In a bitter irony, someone rushed the stage and attacked him just prior to a lecture where he was to speak about freedom of expression in the United States.  Rushdie had beenContinue reading “perilous times”

We went to the beach with V for the first time this summer. It took a while to get there this season given that it’s already well into August. But V usually has sessions with his behavior technician J on Saturday and Sunday morning, and he’s had camp on weekdays, and I like to leaveContinue reading “Asbury Park”

Due to some really shitty town management two of the three public pools in our town – the affordable option for the middle class residents who still exist in this increasingly affluent community where I live – are closed for the entire summer, leaving one pool at the exact opposite end of town from myContinue reading “by foot: on not driving”

I’m home from Seattle long enough to be over my jet lag and acclimated to the heat and humidity that welcomed me back after nearly a week of moderate crisp weather, where I had to borrow a sweater for the coolness in the morning and evening, which was such a treat. The time went quicklyContinue reading “summer vacation”

We got through the long school break with many walks, a few outings and lots of music, everything local and simple. We got through the break with plenty of good weather and generally good spirits on V’s part which made the time go by more easily. He’s back in his summer program, which will lastContinue reading “Begin again: Seattle”

It was the summer of 1973, and I remember going to some theater event with all of the teens from my camp. The only part of the outing that I distinctly recall is that some of the older guys – my brother’s age so I didn’t know them too well – carried transistor radios toContinue reading “staying engaged”

When people ask “What are your weekend plans?” I generally have nothing much to say, no special activity or event to report. On Saturday morning we go to Shoprite with V and his bt (behavior technician) J, who is very good with V and brings terms like “tools for adulthood” to life… as something soContinue reading “same old beauty”

After 15 years of gardening I decided to call it quits for this year. Too much going on with V and I don’t have the time and energy to devote to it, although this is often the case. I buy and plant with determination and excitement for the new season and then my efforts peterContinue reading “salt and pepper days”