Cherries

My mom bought some cherries for me and I went by her house yesterday to pick them up.   She walked me out to my car and this conversation ensued when my mom observed me placing the bag of cherries in my trunk:

Mom:  "Don't forget to take them out of your trunk!"
Me:  *giggle* "Okaaaay, Mom."

I'm in my car now and she's gesturing and yelling something that I can't hear.  I roll down the window.

Me:  "What did you say?"
Mom:  "Remember that baby?"
Me:  "What?  No.  What baby?"
Mom:  "That baby on the news!  It was on the news last night and today!"
Me:  "And...?"
Mom:  "These people left their baby in the car because each of them thought the other had taken it out of the car seat and it DIED."
Me:  "Why are you telling me this?!"
Mom:  "Because they forgot a baby.  Think how easy it would be to forget cherries."

Forces of Nature

J. and me, c. 1972

In the waning hours of a recent Saturday, my husband and I occupied ourselves with some final preparations for Sunday brunch.  Something distant but stentorian caught our attention.  It sounded like the rumble of giants hurdling mountains and valleys.  A short time later, we saw the black sky pulse with far-away jags of light.  The forecast storm would arrive much earlier than expected.

Since the sky was still starry and cloudless, I predicted that we would be fast asleep when the rain finally came…just one more thing to do before sweet, sweet sleep.  Alone in the kitchen, I was surprised by abrupt, spattering downpour and looked up at the clock.  Midnight.  It was my sister’s birthday.   J. would have been 50.  It seemed appropriate, even predictable, that this thundering storm heralded the birthday jubilee for the force of nature that was my sister.

Thoughtful Toddler - Episode 2

#LASTPRINTISSUE

Perfect Harmony

When I was a little girl, my mom used to sing "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" all the time.  I so enjoyed listening to her voice and would try to harmonize with her.  The melody was simple and beautiful, an easy song for a child to learn and love. 

I was delighted as could be whenever Coca-Cola's commercial featuring this wonderful song aired on television.  I already knew all the words (yay!), except for a few minor changes courtesy of Coke's clever marketing people.  Even better, it was the first time I had seen a TV ad full of people who looked like me.  40 or so years later, the ad still brings a smile to my face.

And, yes, I'm still a Coca-Cola girl.

Mrs. American-Commuter

Tuesday, on my way home from work, I was surprised to see that the Halal meat store was gutted to the studs. Hmm, when did that happen? I wondered how long the building had stood like that, unnoticed though I pass it twice a day, five days a week. I looked at the other drivers stopped in traffic next to me. Not a single person was looking at anything other than the view out the windshield. I made a mental note to pay more attention to my surroundings on F Drive, the street on which I spend the majority of my commute.

Happy, happy, happy, happy Chanukah!

Chanukah gift giving wouldn't be complete without the gift of Adam Sandler:

Mrs. C and the Dreidel

Yesterday I received a package and a letter from my dad:  

I remember Mrs. C., your kindergarten teacher, gave you a dreidel. I had never seen one of those before either and so this was new to me, too. As I recall, Mrs. C. also taught you a little Jewish history to go with the dreidel. Anyway, while walking around the JCC, with some of the most beautiful arts and crafts on display, I ran across this dreidel. I thought of Mrs. C and had to get this for you for Chanukah.