Category Archives: unexpected gifts

Blooming mystery flower [aka amaryllis]

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

We’ve had this flower in a pot in our house for seven years.  During that time, it has bloomed a few times, but mot often, it has been dormant.  For some reason, perhaps the early spring, it just bloomed spectacularly. … Continue reading →

Posted in spring, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Why 7th graders are awesome

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

On the way to my classroom yesterday, my eager, energetic, and curious 7th grade student came rushing up to me, exclaiming, “Ms. D, I need to borrow a book from your class!  I was annotating my book so hard (her … Continue reading →

Posted in education, inspiration, lessons, teaching, unexpected gifts, writing | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

When inspiration fails

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Ironically, my good friend, fellow blogger, and novelist, Deb Hanrahan, bestowed upon me a Liebster Award. I hardly deserve such awards, especially since I have been so uninspired that I’ve written not a single word since early September. Perhaps this … Continue reading →

Posted in coaching, community, connection, experience, food, friends, friendship, lessons, unexpected gifts, writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Every atom

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

I am not a believer.  I don’t believe in god, and fate has never really held much allure for me, despite the fact that a former lover tried to convince me that fate had brought us together (note well:  former).  … Continue reading →

Posted in connection, experience, family, inspiration, reincarnation, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

I love you more than beer

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Monkey Man has a sense of humor, and we’ve know that for a long time. Monkey Man also loves to cuddle at night, and frequently says, “Mommy, hold me,” at bedtime.  During the last couple of nights, Monkey Man has … Continue reading →

Posted in beer, family, motherhood, night time rituals, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Looking a gift horse in the mouth

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

We are moving my mother-in-law into our apartment, and in the process, we’ve been giving away, or attempting to give away, various items that we no longer have the space to keep.  I’ve posted the items we want to give … Continue reading →

Posted in affluence, community, expectations, neighbors, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 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

On neighbors

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

When I was a kid, we only infrequently visited neighbors, but my parents did spend quite a bit of time on the front porch during the summer, idly watching kids playing in the street or visiting with whomever might wander … Continue reading →

Posted in community, connection, experience, neighbors, summer, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making art, gorilla girl style

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Gorilla Girl has been making new pictures lately, as an addition to her budding work in photography.  She draws animals, people, g00-goos, houses, boats, cars, trains, designs and decorations.  She sketches flowers and mermaids, family and friends.  Most importantly, she … Continue reading →

Posted in art, experience, family, growth, identity, inspiration, motherhood, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

On biking

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Necessity is the Mother of Invention

It’s been about a month, and I’ve only run six times that I can recall.  During the winter, I was thrilled to be running, but injuries have forced me to switch to plan B — biking. Unlike running, biking takes … Continue reading →

Posted in biking, experience, running, summer, unexpected gifts | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments