tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-227395152009-12-13T09:16:56.477-05:00Nothing fancy, just some plain talk about life in general and me in particular. Empty nests, clawfoot bathtubs, parking-lot trysts, unusual birthday gifts, accordion gigs in NYC. Come listen to the music!The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-69615012618878423182009-12-09T16:59:00.004-05:002009-12-09T17:39:08.152-05:00

We had looked in several stores already, hand in hand as we searched for the perfect dress for Sophie's holiday concert. I use the term 'holiday' loosely. Sadly, this year's songs had little to do with the religious traditions of the season. Certain parents had objected to the idea of actually singing carols and folk songs so the school played it safe and chose songs about the environment,

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-33792942750379090692009-08-18T15:36:00.007-04:002009-08-18T22:00:41.414-04:00

This has been a whirlwind of a summer and I'm so overdue here. Let me share a rundown ... The month of July brought: unemployment, birthday-gift trip to Vancouver BC (tour of a television set, hobnobbing with the cast and production crew of Sanctuary), the official "Mattern Cousin Reunion" with the Pacific Northwest Matterns descending on us here in the Berkshires, followed by a three-day August

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-3392753044292621702009-07-03T17:35:00.006-04:002009-07-04T13:32:16.573-04:00

It had to happen. And today was a perfect day to make it happen.My daughter has been taking the heat all week for an article she had published in the Boston Globe. Writing in her usual humorous and self-deprecatory style, Jenn related how she and her two little girls handle the everyday occurrences of living in a very small house and how they often share moments of nudity (and hilarity). The

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-58320254998188478382009-06-22T22:02:00.005-04:002009-06-22T22:26:57.258-04:00

To my daughter on her birthday, a poem by David Whyte from The House of Belonging.... one small thingI've learned these years,how to be alone,and at the edge of alonenesshow to be found by the world.Innocence is what we allowto be gifted back to usonce we've given ourselves away.There is one world only,the one to which we gave ourselvesutterly, and to which one daywe are blessed to return.I love

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-55174966959429970002009-05-10T08:25:00.012-04:002009-05-10T13:34:14.158-04:00

Twice in my life, I became a mother. I was not ready, at first, for the tremendous responsibility of holding that tiny newborn and trying to calm her cries, giving her what she needed. Those first few weeks were a blur of anxiety and apprehension. Am I doing it right? The it, of course, being motherhood. My mother only smiled back at me, wisely and mysteriously. She knew what I had yet to learn,

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-40715262063749747032009-05-01T08:13:00.008-04:002009-05-01T09:10:18.168-04:00

I usually write positive things but this seems the perfect day to release some bad news at the micro level. My job is 'being eliminated' on July 1. My boss told me the same afternoon I found out that I have some dental problems. The dental problems have turned into three surgical procedures. No dental plan. Small amount of savings as a nest egg for the unemployment will now be re-directed to the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-90144744513045517662009-04-20T16:31:00.008-04:002009-04-20T20:38:09.876-04:00

"I'm glad you moved here, Babci."It was spoken softly by the little dark-haired girl descending my staircase. I was in back of her and almost missed the spontaneous words. Sophie's sincerity caught me by surprise."Sophie, I'm glad I moved up here too, to watch you and Hannah grow.""You would have missed a lot.""I know." Oh, dear heart, I know. Believe me, I know."Thank you, Babci, for having me

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-384906384895831472009-04-05T17:11:00.006-04:002009-04-05T18:26:36.692-04:00

March has suddenly morphed into early April and still the cold lingers. Sophie spent another delightful weekend sleepover and we raced to the car last night while blowing snow tickled our faces. At least Easter will be arriving soon with its message of renewal and redemption. I think I need both. I've been a bad girl.Sophie and Hannah and their mommy had treated me to dinner out a few weeks ago

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-7028744525974872682009-03-30T20:47:00.016-04:002009-05-02T08:03:42.891-04:00

My mom was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Greenfield is less than an hour away from where I, my daughter and granddaughters now live. I find this quite amazing considering that all our family stories are set in Philadelphia.Just why Mom was born in New England remains a family mystery. Philadelphia was where she and her folks set down roots, where I was to grow up. Perhaps my granddad (who

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-36611953608893441902009-03-15T08:43:00.010-04:002009-03-15T09:50:20.464-04:00

Yes, today's the day. My Medicare card is on its way. I am turning the big "65" and have very mixed feelings about this whole getting older thing. At 60, I felt much more svelte, alive and adventurous. A lot has changed these past swift five years. Some good. Some not so good. Life happens, eh? I am working again, full time. Retirement seems farther away than ever now that the Ponzi schemers on

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-28269199359981196002009-03-02T19:30:00.002-05:002009-03-02T19:51:43.540-05:00

You turn six todaySweet sunny child of my sonPisces just like meYour blonde hair, shy smileMake me smile back in returnEven if aloneLooking at your faceIn a picture in my handWishing you were nearLiv, my golden girlSo far away, so specialSix and then, sixteenI want to stop timeHold your childhood days in checkBut you bounce aheadGolden curls, gigglesMusic, dolls, pretty dressesSuch a fair

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-63846887360213855852009-01-29T22:26:00.009-05:002009-01-31T19:14:01.358-05:00

I met a man tonight. In a restaurant. He offered to pay my bill. It's the same restaurant I've blogged about before, nothing fancy or exotic. I love their beer-battered scallops. How can a place in the mountains serve such great scallops? Better than the Jersey shore.So, here I am, first arrival of the dinner crowd. I have my pick of the place and choose one of my favorite booths - the one in the

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-84991584170964722692008-12-29T09:58:00.019-05:002008-12-31T21:36:27.004-05:00

Christmas has been filled with unexpected surprises. I stayed at Jenn's for most of the week, helping where I could. In fact, I made pancake breakfast after Santa arrived (thanks, Peg and Don for the pancake mix) and then made a roast beef while Jenn, David, and the girls enjoyed the many presents under the tree. Besides Santa's delivery, many of Jenn's readers sent or brought gifts of every

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-34182412272809965132008-12-23T21:06:00.007-05:002008-12-31T22:06:33.751-05:00

I came across this photo at a National Geographic website. It reminds me of how life has changed this past year for Jenn and me. There's a 500-pound polar bear in the room which can no longer be ignored. Jenn's illness and her ensuing struggle has called out the best in people, faithful readers of her blog who have shown they care in so many ways. And, of course, there are the girls who are

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-74626069775567170662008-11-30T21:55:00.017-05:002008-12-01T06:55:16.537-05:00

She's almost eight years old. Next Christmas, Sophie may not want to sit on Santa's lap and tell him, wholeheartedly, that she'd really like an American Girl named Molly. Santa told her that he would take the request up with Mrs. Claus who is in charge of dolls.Black Friday had consumers scrambling around for bargains. I scrambled, instead, to scoop up Sophie and Hannah and drive to a Christmas

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-32811820282491323442008-11-28T10:58:00.015-05:002009-05-09T12:08:17.259-04:00

I climbed a mountain once. When the group leader asked why I wanted to climb the mountain, nothing profound came to mind. I merely stammered "to twirl on the top like Julie Andrews in 'The Sound of Music'." It was the best I could offer. It was honest.Climbing that mountain (known as Indefatigable in the Canadian Rockies) was one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life. It was also one

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-24400457565147420162008-11-16T22:58:00.008-05:002008-11-16T23:37:23.597-05:00

Today was Hannah's fifth birthday. She got up early, dressed herself for her party, made her bed and gaily exclaimed, "Oh, Babci, it's going to be an exciting day!"She had a joint party with her girlfriend, Zoe, who was born same day, a few hours apart at the same hospital in Vermont. They now attend school together. David sewed "royal skirts" for all the attendees and Jenn told improvised fairy

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-42148754383813852562008-11-02T20:30:00.012-05:002008-11-02T22:14:50.420-05:00

I bought the new DVD, Tinkerbell, this week because I know both girls love their fairy stories. Hannah and I hung out on Saturday and she got to watch it first. She has loved Tinkerbell since she was a toddler. I have to admit that the sassy and spunky Tink definitely has something in common with our Hattie Belle.Sophie had spent the afternoon on a play date seeing a live presentation of Beauty

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-38398470984759667312008-10-26T19:58:00.012-04:002008-10-26T23:35:56.310-04:00

It's just another day at the new gym. I try hard to look like I know what I'm doing as I make the rounds of the fitness machines and adjust the different weights, knobs, seats and handles. I really like this part of the workout much better than shaking my booty on the treadmill or elliptical. There's more to anticipate: flexing my pecs, stretching my back, curling my legs, crunching my abs,

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-45193268821856199782008-10-24T22:37:00.009-04:002008-10-24T23:57:33.533-04:00

It's been a busy week at school and TGIF. I decide to stop at a local eatery instead of making my own dinner tonight. I like this place. It's small and cozy, nothing fancy, and the waitresses remind me of the hometown diners in Philly. Sometimes I do get homesick, especially this weekend with the Phillies being in the World Series and all. I settle into one of the back booths, feeling a bit

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-79049492606765234992008-10-18T11:15:00.012-04:002008-10-20T20:06:36.319-04:00

“Mom, come over. We have company.” A simple invitation. I had already changed into my robe and pajamas, looking forward to just tuning out and going to bed early. Yet, an old friend, the mother of Jenn’s friend, Ali, was in town for Grandparents’ Day and now at my daughter’s house with her clan. We had already caught up with each other over lunch at our grandkids’ school. A lot of family

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-44084724857791450702008-10-14T22:44:00.008-04:002008-10-15T19:06:06.100-04:00

Sophie and I had a date tonight. A few months ago, I won a silent auction for a music lesson with a local professor. I bid on it because I thought Sophie might like the experience. She was eager to go when I picked her up after school. The college is only minutes away. As we walked across the leafy campus, Sophie exclaimed, "I bet I'm the first seven-year-old to go to college!" I laughed and

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-41483035422450527472008-10-09T23:04:00.004-04:002008-10-09T23:29:03.082-04:00

I lost it. A few years ago, I used to love going to a gym and doing cardio and strength training ... until I hurt my back and had an MRI and was told that I had some lower-back stuff going on. I actually went to physical therapy for awhile and did some maintenance work but never got back into a regular routine. Then I had a rotator-cuff injury two summers ago and did PT again, worked the soreness

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-86489983955645652492008-09-27T15:25:00.032-04:002009-05-09T13:29:33.391-04:00

I like strong women characters and don't think there are enough of them on TV or in the movies. My favorite was Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in The Avengers. Ah, yes, Mrs. Peel was a phenom in the '60s - smart, witty, and lethal in leather. The unresolved sexual tension between her and John Steed played well. After Diana left the series, it just wasn't the same. Who would have thought that forty

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22739515.post-13003718546579264022008-09-14T00:09:00.004-04:002008-09-14T00:23:30.181-04:00

It seems that little Iris would rather vacuum than play with her toys. I hope Joe and Katie can harness all that positive energy when she's a teenager and they want her to clean her room.

The Materhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08930405332285748751noreply@blogger.com6