Saturday morning, Charlie and me are having breakfast, per usual. We touch base about our plans for the weekend (a baked bean supper that night) and what chores we have on our lists for the day. After, Charlie does the dishes, per usual, and I start in on my weekly house cleaning. Then, off he goes to the dump. I come into the kitchen to get something, and find all the breakfast dishes still sitting there in a sink full of water. I’ll let Charlie take it from here. Water on the Brain Morning dishes, that’s the chore I do before I leave the door The breakfast bowls and silverware Whatever else we got in …

We had a little get together to celebrate my sister Irene’s birthday last week, just the family. If you’re not going to spring clean, the next best thing is to have a party at your house. They say you should have two a year: one in the warm weather and one in cool. That way, you’re motivated to do a couple of good, deep cleanings, and get your yard in order, to boot. The yard is Charlie’s department. He’s got one of them rider mowers that he just loves. Has a little shed with a ramp he keeps it in. I plant the annuals, take care of the potted plants, do a little weeding from …

As I write this, Charlie is in the den, lying on the couch, with his knee propped up, remote in hand, moaning. He’s in pain, but keeps “forgetting” to take his ibuprofen, so I have to remind him every four hours. I’m trying to muster up a little sympathy, but it’s hard, considering the circumstances. Open water fishing season started early this year, so Charlie and the boys, Bud, Smitty, Pat, Tommy and Junior (a.k.a. the Husbands of the Women Who Run With the Moose) went up to the old fishing camp that’s been in Smitty’s family for generations. I can’t tell you where it is, because the boys took a “blood oath” never to …

To retire or not to retire? That is the question, right? Whether it’s better to keep toughing it out or toss in the towel, and see what’s next. Seems like that topic always comes up at get togethers with friends. Or when Charlie and me are having breakfast, or on a road trip. Or in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping, I’m pondering to pros and cons. At parties, we used to talk about work, vacations, what our friend’s kids were up to. Now we kick off with an organ recital. How’d that hip replacement go? Your back still bugging you? How about the colonoscopy prep? We segue from that into …

I love that feeling of being genuinely surprised by something, someone or even by myself. But, I do not like having surprises pulled on me. There’s a difference. For instance, I made Charlie swear on the sanctity of our marriage that he’d never throw me a surprise birthday party. I honestly don’t think I could recover from being the worst dressed person at my own celebration. See, I’m a gal who likes to plan, to have all my ducks in a row. And that’s a good thing. I mean, it’s served me well for over sixty-five years. But lately, I’ve come to the realization that sometimes I can get so focused on doing something my …

I love it when Easter’s in April. Yes, it’s nice to have a holiday in March, but too m y new Easter dress with white ankle socks or tights, white patent leather shoes, my pink Easter coat (my sister Irene’s was identical, but blue), white straw hat with fake flowers and white gloves. All brand, spanking new. Oh, and new underwear, too. Almost forgot about that. any times that means cold and snow, which is disappointing. Easter is about  daffodils, bunnies and sunshine. It’s about eating too much ham and scallop potatoes and way too much chocolate. Back when I was a kid, I prayed for a beautiful spring Easter day. Not so the Easter …

As many of you know, I’m big into decluttering. It just feels so good to get rid of stuff you don’t really use, things that are weighing you down. Plus, it’s mud season. Sure some days are bright and sunny, but we’re also having our fair share of rainy, raw weather. If you’re like me, you need to do something to get the energy moving. Decluttering makes me feel like I’m being productive, without working up too much of a dew, you know? Now, that’s a win/win. I learned about decluttering from my niece Caitlin who, along with her job down to Mahoosuc Health Food, just happens to be a certified Feng Shui consultant. She …

The other day, I was visiting my niece Caitlin down to the Mahoosuc Health Food, and I overheard a couple of the regulars talking. This gal’s got these Rastaman dreadlocks down to her waist, and the fella’s sporting this tattoo of a snake coiled around his neck. Whatever floats your boat, right? “Hey, Connor!” she says. “Hey!” “How’s it going?” “Can’t complain. I came in to pick up some of this magic herbal juju for my bonsai. The stuff’s epic.” “Cool! That little tree of yours is perfection. You’re an artist, my man.”  “Thanks! Follow your bliss, right?” Wow, I thought, “Follow your bliss.” Sounds good, but what is my bliss? And if I’m busy …

So, I’m at the A&P, picking up a few things after work, when I run into Bucky Dumont. What a character! “Hey there, Bucky. How you doing?” “Not too shabby. Just picking up a few things for the missus.” Sure enough, there in his shopping cart are eggs, bread milk. “How about that case of Pabst, Bucky. She ask you to pick that up?” “Nope. Them’s what I call my office supplies.” Now, I’ve heard about Bucky’s office. It’s a shed off the barn that he has all tricked out with an old potbellied stove, TV, mini fridge, a beat up Barcalounger and a couple of rocking chairs for when his buddies drop over for …

It’s spring and folks are coming out of hibernation. We’ve all been hunkered down in our houses for way too long. Time to reach out to friends. The world is a mess, and anything we can do to make us feel connected to others helps take the edge off. It’s easy, especially during winter, to get so caught up in our own life that we lose touch with the very people that matter most. Who was the first person that popped into your head when you read that? Write down their name. Go ahead. I’ll wait. Anyone else? Make a list. When you finish reading to this, give them a call or shoot them an …