Category Archives: memory

Why we must stop for death, dear Emily

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

My students are working on Civil War projects, and obviously, the subject of death has been part of the discussion.  The Civil War is ancient history to them, and even to me, Matthew Brady’s intense images of the dead on … Continue reading →

Posted in death, experience, family, loss, memory, motherhood, photography, rituals | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Family day: a momentous occasion

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I was reminded by Ed today that it was this date in 2007 — five years ago — that we adopted Monkey Man and Gorilla Girl.  I have never been good with dates, and routinely forget birthdays and even my … Continue reading →

Posted in adoption, family, identity, loss, memory, tradition | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Rhinestone cowboy

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

It is uncharacteristic of me to watch award shows, but for some reason, I saw a bit of the Grammys on Sunday night. The Glenn Campbell piece really struck a chord. Not because I am or was a big fan, … Continue reading →

Posted in education, experience, family, memory, nostalgia | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Memories of Dad

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

My sister recently posted this family photograph on her Facebook page.  My dad’s birthday was February 5th, and I was thinking about him on Sunday, in part because my dad was a huge football fan.  He loved the Chicago Bears, … Continue reading →

Posted in family, identity, lessons, loss, memory | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Here comes the rain again

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

My sister left me a voice mail the other day, a rambling one at that, to tell me that she’d just heard “Here Comes the Rain Again, ” by the Eurythmics. Her message said something about how she remembered us … Continue reading →

Posted in dancing, education, experience, memory, rain, sisters | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Veal of deception over my eyes

Posted on January 14, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Yes, I know this post is titled “Veal” of deception, but I’m not talking about the flesh of a calf used as an anti-inflammatory over an eye injury, or about some alternative cooking method for veal. The adolescent who uttered … Continue reading →

Posted in community, dreams, education, memory | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Kin in the kitchen

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Thanks to Hanna for the inspiration — her A to Z holiday photo montage kicked my brain into gear. My cousin and his mom (that makes her my aunt) visited us today, and as we sat around the dinner table, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, community, connection, family, holidays, memory, nostalgia, tradition | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Morning mourning

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Last night at 10 pm, I got a call from the University of Chicago Medical Center asking me to participate in a survey about my experience with the hospital. I suppose hospitals do this from time to time, survey patients … Continue reading →

Posted in expectations, experience, lessons, loss, memory, motherhood | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The smells of summers past

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

With all the rain this summer, it’s ironic that I’ve yet to be rained on during either a bike ride or a run. Maybe the rain has come over night and that explains how I’ve missed it. But a few … Continue reading →

Posted in biking, endless summer, experience, memory, nostalgia, rain, running, summer, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rainbow cone, a memory and a challenge

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Rainbow Cone, a deep-rooted summer establishment on the Southside of Chicago, is home to many memories for kids who grew up with the thrill of Rainbow Cone as a surprise trip at the end of a long and steamy Chicago … Continue reading →

Posted in experience, family, food, memory, motherhood, nostalgia, summer | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments