Author Archives: Necessity is the Mother of Invention

A new tattoo to illustrate the ineffable

Posted on April 12, 2020 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

“Wow, you had a tattoo before it was cool to have a tattoo,” said Mike, the guy planning my inking session said. He clarified, “Okay, tattoos are cool no matter what, but 20 years ago, there were only a couple … Continue reading →

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On a ride to nowhere

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

We are now entering the fourth week of schools closed, stay-at-home orders, and trying to flatten the curve.  Maybe it was the novelty of it or the challenge of reworking normal life, or maybe it was because my family is … Continue reading →

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The new normal: On returning from spring break in the midst of a pandemic

Posted on March 29, 2020 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Usually, in my role as a 7th-grade Humanities teacher, I find myself stressed, unable to sleep, and furiously planning on the Sunday night before a return to school from breaks. This spring break is different, though. We return to remote … Continue reading →

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Blue

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

The sparkling blue of Lake Michigan, in the summer sun, with a brisk breeze is enticing and inviting, and as I remembered that particular shade, I recalled the time our rental catamaran flung us into those blue depths. I’m not … Continue reading →

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Where the children play

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

One of the joys of childhood is the freedom to swing high enough to touch the sky. I wonder, though, just how often kids are allowed this kind of freedom when I see articles about Helicopter parents who have traumatized … Continue reading →

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Waiting on the Big Green Soup Pot

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

We’ve moved into a house from our condo, and it’s been a fairly exciting adventure, although it’s also been fraught with a few challenges. Despite the challenges, we’re slowly making headway on unpacking and organizing our lives in a new, … Continue reading →

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Lessons from the “boot”

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Five weeks ago, I had surgery to repair a torn peroneal tendon and to fix a long-standing stress fracture in my left metatarsal. Running and my unique physiology have contributed to the damage, and I had similar (though less significant) … Continue reading →

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Prom, 1984

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

In 1984, I was a senior in high school, and prom was looming on the horizon.  Yes, I was planning to go to college (at least until my mom suggested in frustration that I stay home, marry Terry, and have … Continue reading →

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Personal Art: Patti Smith’s Just Kids

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I finished Patti Smith’s Just Kids late last night.  For a poet, Smith’s prose was decidedly banal, and though I admire her premise — a coming of age/muse and artist/love and friendship story — the memoir read more like a … Continue reading →

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The face of determination

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Monkey Man heads to kindergarten in the fall, a year behind his sister and his chronological mates.  It was a decision that seemed right given his physical challenges.  In some ways, though, it does seems strange to hold him back … Continue reading →

Posted in children, expectations, experience, family, growth | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments