Reality and the Kids
Years ago, as the mother of three school-age children, I still thought of myself as, well, maybe not young but youthful. And possessed of a certain - what shall I call it – yes, cool!
You Can’t Get a Good Barn Down
Old houses were demolished along the narrow lanes. The new four-lane road bypassed the little town with its two failed stores, shuttered-up post-office and condemned school building. When I thought that I had graduated from elementary school there, I felt old and worried.
The Bear Went Over the Mountain
Back home that week we women stayed on our knees. All day long when the hunters were supposed to return we watched for the vehicles to pull up. They slipped in way after dark.
Last Day on The Long Trail
Dad met Ed at the airport, where they got into the Jeep and headed for the Long Trail, My daughter and I met them at a shelter. But the minute Ed stepped out on the Trail, the heavens opened up and poured rain. It rained so hard we had to give up any hope of hiking. We went home, where Ed slept in homestyle comfort for the rest of his leave.
Second Day on the Long Trail
I had stashed, right beside my head, a few nocturnal necessities. I was dozing, when I heard the bear. Gnawing. Probably he’d discovered the tree with our breakfast and was having a healthful snack.
Vermont Long Trail
Finally morning dawned! I still couldn’t move my feet or my left arm, but I was breathing. As I reached for my glasses I chanced to look over at the dog people. Where were the dogs? I tried to turn over to see better, and there were the dogs, guarding me like their masters’ sleeping bags