At one point during our DC visit, we ended up riding a bus instead of the child-preferred Metro. The bus was hot, crowded and a bit stinky. Multiple languages whispered in cell phones or to seatmates. A familiar game sound across the aisle made Doug’s head spin and in a millisecond, a dozen people on […]
Before we left for DC, we had multiple conversations with the children in an attempt to prevent problems. Although the most repeated topic was what to do if you get lost, we also talked about big city manners and safety. “Always look both ways.” “Don’t kick the seat in front of you.” “Use your inside […]
There’s a common rule that you can use humor when it’s your life, but not when it’s someone else’s life. For example, I am allowed to laugh at the absurd moments that Autism creates in our home. As my family member on the spectrum matures, I relax and appreciate the moments that would have caused […]
Ten of the reasons why I am going. One week I found an Obama is the anti-Christ pamphlet under my windshield wiper. The following week someone tried to scrape the Obama sticker off of my car. A relative stopped speaking to me when I told him to stop sending my children anti-Islamic e-mails. A neighbor […]
While Buster sat and watched the cove with more devotion than most people watch their favorite reality shows, Betty did what women have always done. She multi-tasked. She kept one eye on the activity in the cove and one eye on her husband. She maintained the tidiest house I have ever seen. Until a fall […]
Groom: “I really need to get my keys back from Doug.” Me: “Umm, yes you do.” Groom: “We’ve got a bit of a drive ahead of us and we’re anxious to get to our hotel.” Me: “I’m sure you are.” Groom: “Soooo, where is Doug?” Me: “He is still here. Somewhere.” Groom: “Umm, I think […]
My mental filing cabinet holds a vivid memory of the last place I see someone. If I never see them again, in my mind they are trapped forever in that place. My summer routines are completely different than my school year routines. This week, I’ve revisited places that I haven’t been since school let out […]
The unofficial supervisors of our cove have always been the seniors who quietly monitored everything from the bug-free safety of their screen porch. They have been here longer than anyone and know decades of stories about the people and buildings in this wooded cul-de-sac. While his wife always sweetly charmed everyone, Buster stoically kept a […]
Rob. Chris. Dorothy. Henry. Not the end. Not the end. Ackermann PR is establishing a fund to assist Henry’s family. If you would like to join this effort, checks may be made out directly to Katie Granju and mailed to: Crystal Cardwell c/o Ackermann PR, 1111 Northshore Drive, Suite N-400, Knoxville, TN 37919. Chris’s family […]