Perhaps “family friendly” should have been a clue. Perhaps it was and I chose to ignore it. Kids stay free… Great site for family reunions… Something for everyone. That last part is true unless of course, you’re a struggling writer looking for a quiet place to replenish your soul with meaningful words that flow easily onto the page. Instead, I found myself dodging dripping ice cream cones, shrieking to the peals of children laughing and crying, and overdosing on constant parental Continue Reading
A Salute to My Mother
Frances Helen Waid Sievers b. June 10, 1921 m. July 24, 1943 d. July 19, 1980 Wife, mother of four, grandmother of five. Spent her first fourteen years in Columbus, Ohio before her family moved to Milwaukee. A Girl Scout through high school. Graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, degree in Special Education. Married her high school sweetheart when he was serving in WW II. Packed and moved several times throughout southern Wisconsin with her husband and Continue Reading
What Can We Learn from March Madness?
Like many others, I am near the end of March Madness. Four weekends of continuous college basketball for both men and women that will culminate in the NCAA Final Four tournaments next weekend. I explained this piece of American culture to my international student friends, and watched them nod their heads and say “ahhh” as if they got it. I knew they didn't. Casual fans become fully invested in the games. We root for archrivals when our team gets bounced. We talk about players and coaches as if Continue Reading
Lessons Learned in a Hospital Waiting Room
I spent nine hours in a surgical waiting room today and if that's not a lesson in perspective, nothing is. A microcosm of American culture. Young, old, different races and ethnicities, rich, poor and everything in between. This waiting room had five TVs, each turned to a different network, as if to oblige each party. Me? I sat in a quiet corner and observed. That's what I do. Along with my book, IPad, and knitting, but no need for TV with such interesting characters. I understood the woman in Continue Reading