Stories from the Porch

The Aunt Ginni Chronicles: Better with a Hammer Than a Spatula

Aunt Ginni was not a great cook. She didn’t enjoy cooking and it showed. I don’t know whether her mother ever taught her. From what I know of her childhood, probably not. It’s a shame she wasn’t able to spend more time with her mother-in-law, my great-grandma Ella, as she would have learned all the… Continue reading The Aunt Ginni Chronicles: Better with a Hammer Than a Spatula

The Aunt Ginni Chronicles: Confessions of a Clearance Sale Queen

Every family has one. Every family needs one. Every family has their own version of an Aunt Bethany – the short-stacked older woman with the slightly off-key wardrobe, the twisted humor, and the crazy conversations. Ours was named Virginia or as she liked to be called Aunt Ginni. Aunt Ginni was married to my maternal… Continue reading The Aunt Ginni Chronicles: Confessions of a Clearance Sale Queen

Before Screens, There was Mabel

My parents belonged to several clubs and organizations as we were growing up. One of those was a Card Club. One Saturday night a each month they gathered with other couples for a light dinner before settling in for an evening of cards. The couples would take turns hosting in their homes. I enjoyed it… Continue reading Before Screens, There was Mabel

Joy Thieves and Precious Cargo

Today has been one of THOSE days. It started out great. We were on a mission. We had some important “cargo” to pick up and bring home. Our mission was a success, but sometime later in the day there was a shift – an unwelcome funk showed up. Have you had this happen? Things are… Continue reading Joy Thieves and Precious Cargo

The Dreams I Never Want to End

The word dream can mean your deepest aspirations and goals for the future, OR, it can mean a series of images, thoughts, and emotions that happen in your mind while you sleep. So, what is my biggest dream? I am going to focus on the sensations while I am asleep. I dream a lot. I… Continue reading The Dreams I Never Want to End

The Favorite Child Had Four Legs

Mom loved dogs. The problem was that I had severe allergies to any animal that shed. I know – a dairy farm girl who’s allergic to animals that shed. My mom learned about a breeder who had some maltipoo’s. They had enough poodle in them that they did not shed so it was a win-win… Continue reading The Favorite Child Had Four Legs