The day morning, I was walking Scamp. We’d had rain the night before, but the morning was crisp and bright, about 50 degrees out. We’re strolling around a little neighborhood nearby, and Scamp is sniffing things more than usual. A rain like that really brings out the smells, doesn’t it? Even I’m grooving on it, the grass, the flowers. Coming towards us is a mom with her two sons, probably about 8 and 10. She’s doing some sort of season averaging with her clothing. She has on this polar fleece pullover and a down vest and cropped leggings and flip flops. Winter + Summer = Spring, right? Meanwhile, I’m in LL Bean pants with a …

“Do ants sleep?” I wondered out loud. Charlie and me had just sat down to lunch Saturday (grilled cheese and tomato soup), and there was another one, grabbing our attention by crawling behind the salt shaker. See, every year about this time we seem to get ants in the house. It just wouldn’t be spring without them. Once summer goes into full swing, they’re gone, but gosh, they’re a nuisance while they’re here. We can never figure out where they’re getting in. The screen door? Some window? Who knows? Now if Scamp was more diligent about eating all his food when it’s served, like other dogs, that would help. Instead, he seems to put all …

This week, my sister Irene and me were able to visit Dad together down to Mahoosuc Green. That hasn’t been allowed since this whole Covid thing began. Up until now, it’s been only two people at a time, and both from the same household. Because his roommate was in the dining room with his own visitors, we got to visit Dad in his room. Dad is always telling me he needs nail clippers. But when they give him some, he loses them. The nurses have a lot to do, and they don’t always have time to cut his nails the way he likes ‘em. So this time, I decided to bring some clippers, emery boards, …

Every house project takes at least two, three, four times longer than you think it’s going to. The box that says “all parts included” is lying. You dive into repairing that little bit of rot outside the front door and discover it’s the tip of the iceberg. And don’t even get me going on window treatments and paint chips! Experience has taught me that if Charlie’s going to be attempting one of these little chores, it’s best if I’m out of the house. So Saturday, when Charlie announced he was going to install our new bathroom blind, I called up my sister, Irene. We went for a window visit with dad down to Mahoosuc Green. …

Sometimes it seems like being cranky, whining, complaining, and moping are the glue that holds us together. There are whole television programs devoted to it. And hey, I get it. We have a lot to be cranky about right now. Still gets on my nerves, though. Charlie, too. Cranky Don’t Cut It This fella Mel, who’s on my shift The one who operates the lift? Of all the guys we’re employing Mel’s become the most annoying ‘Cause if you need complaining done Mel’s your fella, he’s the one Who’ll get the other fellas riled Me, as well, it put it mild How he prattles, all day long ‘Bout everything that’s going wrong The roads, the …

“My mom’s memory is like a window opening and closing.” That’s what my co-worker Lisa said to me, a few years ago. I thought I knew what she meant, but I didn’t. Not really. Now, I get it. My dad is down to Mahoosuc Green, our senior living facility here in town. He bought in a few years after my mom died, and had the cutest little apartment in the independent living wing, Dirigo Way. But, a few months into lockdown, I got the call, “Ida, we feel your father’s no longer Dirigo Way material.” Ouch! I guess Dad needed a little more help with things. You know, like showering, cueing (reminding him when he’s …

Tomorrow’s the day, people: the official cut off for Christmas decorations. And none too soon. Why a couple of weekends ago, Charlie and me are taking a Sunday drive, and I become a little irritated. “Would you look at that?” I ask. “What?” Charlie replies. “All these Christmas decoration everywhere. It’s the middle of January, for God’s sake!” “You say that every year. Besides, technically they have ‘til Groundhog Day.” “I know, but the real Christmas-y stuff should come down sooner, in my opinion. Like look at that place there. It’s just not right.” Charlie pulls over in front of the house in question. “What are you doing, Charlie?” “Why don’t you leave them a …

How’s your decluttering going? Can’t say I’m full steam ahead every day, but I’m chugging along, a little bit at a time. See, if I make the job too big, I get discouraged before I even begin. I find that chunking it down into manageable pieces is the way to go. When you set a small goal like that and accomplish it, it makes you feel good. Like everything in life, finishing the job is key, right? I just don’t get these folks who never seem to finish anything. Living like that would make me kind of anxious. You? There’s this house in town where they’ve been putting up shingles, forever. Charlie and me joke …

When you read that title, what was your next thought? Good riddens, right?” I hear you. Wow, 2020 was one heck of a year! And honestly, one I’d hate to do all over again. Aren’t we all ready to flip the page on the calendar? I sure am. But it’d be sad to miss an opportunity to think about what we learned this year, how we got through it. The coronavirus has this way of shining a special spotlight on things we might have been ignoring, or not appreciating, or just plain clueless about. I’ve come up with some questions to ask yourself. You don’t have to answer all of ‘em, of course, but I …

I have something to confess. As weird as this 2020 holiday season is, there’s something actually kind of nice about it. Usually, by this time in December, I’m busier than a one-armed paper hanger: running here and there, working our craft table down to the Christmas Bazaar at St. Hyacinth’s, shopping, baking, wrapping, yikes! Oh, and don’t forget the overeating (some of it stress related, some of it just me getting swept up in the moment). There would have been my book group’s potluck and Yankee swap, customers down to the A&P bringing in baked goods, the Heavenly Treats booth at the Christmas Bazaar, where I can never yank myself away from Sister Henry Georgiana’s …