Category Archives: family

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 →

Posted in aging, experience, family, motherhood | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Whoa, there!

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Not to be redundant, but Gorilla Girl is amazing.  She has been interested in horses and riding them for a few years now, perhaps because two of her cousins ride, and has been astride a horse only a couple of … Continue reading →

Posted in children, family, motherhood, summer | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Monkey Girl: the super kid formerly known as Gorilla Girl

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I must have known when I started writing here about Gorilla Girl that she was gifted with talents I could neither imagine nor predict. I’ve noted here her artistic flair, but have continued to stand in awe at her physical … Continue reading →

Posted in children, family, motherhood | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Signs that you might be a successful parent, or at least a subversive one

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

While driving in the car to therapy, Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl asked me to play Bruce Springsteen on the CD player, specifically “Shackled and Drawn.” We also sang along to my favorite, “Death to My Hometown.” I guess Springsteen … Continue reading →

Posted in children, class, corporate greed, family, singing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Raiding the cookie jar in 2013

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

When we were kids, back in the stone age, we’d sneak cookies or whatever snacks we could find around the house.  I suppose all kids do this, and always will.  But there is a new twist to the desires of … Continue reading →

Posted in children, family, humor, motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

How craigslist connects us in the most unexpected ways

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

It has been almost a year since I caved into the allure of purchasing expensive in-home exercise equipment.  My aging ankles consigned me to elliptical machines at the gym, but my six-year olds seemed incompatible with an absentee mom, so … Continue reading →

Posted in children, community, connection, encounters, family, identity, Vietnam | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A frigid winter’s night

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

What does believe mean? Believe — It means truth, without seeing, Knowledge without touching. What do you believe? I believe in love. Love? Well, you can’t see love. I can. A small hand reaches out to touch my face. It … Continue reading →

Posted in children, dreams, experience, family, lessons, poems | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Olive oil ice cream: knowing who is boss (of the kitchen)

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

First off, I am an ice cream making fool, at least since last summer, when my obsession began. I’ve made an astonishing array of ice cream, including asparagus, most recently. Dorie’s olive oil ice cream, while satisfying and creamy, didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in family, food, ice cream, summer | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Double chocolate and banana tart: putting the pieces back together

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

For once, I thought I’d easily conquered not only the tart dough on round one, but also the entire multi-step process without incident, aggravation, mistake, or calamity. Surprisingly, despite the fact that I had to make an appetizer and the … Continue reading →

Posted in children, family, food, mistakes, motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments