“Gran, it’s a selfie.” “It is? Hi, everyone!” *waves* “It’s just a picture, we’re not broadcasting live.” “Oh?” “Just smile, okay?” “Okay! Hi, everybody!” *waves* Today would have been Gran’s 100th birthday. Not that anyone EVER believed her when she told them her age. That conversation…
Remembering Haley
Well, November is off to a difficult start. We had to say good-bye to our dear friend’s sweet pup Haley this past weekend. This is a tribute to a wonderful dog who was very much part of our family. I first met Haley-pup 15 years ago….
Happy Father’s Day
I’ve written about my dad several times: here. And here. And here. He shows up in many stories, like this one. And this one, too. My dad loved his family and his friends, good food, bad puns and living life to the fullest. He loved Guinness,…
A Name By Any Other Name
“You have a boy’s name.” “Did your parents want a boy?” “Your last name is spelled wrong.” I have a unique name. I love it now, but I didn’t always. “Michael-Anne Rubenstien, get in here this instant!” For starters, I think we’re negatively conditioned as children…
‘Tis the Season
“Ladle ladle ladle, I made it out of clay!” I’m seven years old. My elementary school decides to be respectful of other faiths by including a Jewish part in the annual Christmas play. By virtue of my last name – Rubenstien – I am selected to…
Gran has no idea how to play guitar.
Gran’s 96th Birthday
Why would we take you to a place called Testi
“All ready for Monday?”
“Yes, except I don’t know what we’re doing.”
“That’s because it’s a surprise. You know how to dress. You know when you’re getting picked up, right?”
“Yes, but…you’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“No.”
“Hmmmphh.”
My grandma is pretty amazing. She’s turning 96 on Monday. I wanted to
A Strange Wind Blows at Blarney Castle
The Blarney Stone wasn’t at all what I expected. I think I expected to walk up to a benign, short and happy stone basking in a field, surrounded by clover and flowers and singing birds and Guinness. What I found was a castle in ruins with…
Dad’s Laughter
It’s been almost six years since we lost dad. What a great phrase – lost dad – like we accidentally misplaced him and he’ll show back up someday in the junk drawer or the attic, brushing off layers of dust and grinning. And trust me, the…