Three nights of dinner...

26 June 2026: 

[Catch-up post]

Every night that I was in New York, Chris, Jen, and Aidan invited me to join them for dinner. Twice, they cooked. And on Friday night, they took me to "Food Truck Fridays" at a local park. 

(I think I type the next seven words all the time, but here it goes again...) So much is so hard right now, but I am blessed beyond measure that my brother and his family are sources of light and literal and figurative sustenance. 

Summer Institute 2026 and Christian's Birthday

13 June 2026:

Two things make today special. 

First, it's Christian's birthday. Every year, I am more grateful for how amazing he is. 

Second, we had the in-person portion of our Summer Institute today. Like every year, it's simply inspring to be surrounded by talented teachers who give so much.

Lights...

28 November 2025: Over the course of hanging the Christmas lights today, I stopped and talked to all three of my siblings about our dad's condition. Later in the day, Jeff organized a conference call. It was comforting to all talk together, but my goodness: the reason is so sad. So yeah...another hard day. 

I can't imagine putting up any decorations this Christmas except these lights and I can't imagine not putting up these lights. All of that makes sense in my heart and my head. 

First year with the new landscaping and you can really see the lights so much better now. That makes me happy.

Jojo taking a peek here.

Every time my dad sees pictures of my lights, he says, "I like the colored lights." Just another way I am my father's daughter. 

Thinking about my brother...

3 November 2025: Thinking this evening about Christian, who is dealing with a medical challenge. 

My siblings are all so strong--have dealt with so much. And they model just how to meet these challenges. 

I am worried about him--and will be until he's on the other side of an upcoming procedure. 

But mostly I am thinking about how much I love him and what a good guy he is. 

Snow ducks...

19 January 2023: I think Jane got me this duck snowball (?) maker two years ago and I had no chance to use it. Busted it out today for the fresh snow that fell, canceling classes for another day. 

After all these years, when it comes to groups of youngsters, I still think in fives.  

Christmas Eve 2023

24 December 2023: 

[Catch-up post...]

A couple of pictures from the nicest parts of the day...

Texting with my brother...

26 October 2023: My brother texting me about Netflix's The Fall of the House of Usher--and our subsequent text conversation about all things Mike Flanagan--is one of my favorite things from today. I don't imagine our tastes overlap all that much beyond the Yankees, old music, and certain movies from our youth (no shade to either of us!), but they sure do line up when it comes to Flanagan. We both like Bly Manor the best, though I do need to rewatch Midnight Mass, because it's awfully close for me and I suspect it's the higher achievement (though that doesn't necessarily equal "my favorite").  

Big Brother's Birthday

13 June 2023: As I sometimes do on days when I am not already certain what I am going to post about, I was sitting here thinking, "What parts of today stand out?" Today's answer is making me happy: it was my phone conversation with Christian, whose birthday is today. We talked longer than I thought we would--about his plans for his birthday dinner, about his yard, about the cats, about Aidan getting ready for college. Every part of the conversation made me smile. Just very grateful to have such a wonderful guy as my big brother. 

College tour

29 July 2022: Chris, Jen, and Aidan were in town today so that Aidan could tour Shepherd. Hard to believe he is about to be a senior. He's a great kid and I think he'll really come into his own and find his people at college, wherever he decides to go. Can't wait to see it!

901...

13 June 2022: Today marks 901 days in a row of at least 10,000 steps. Still incredibly lucky--for health and the ability to plan my days--to have kept this up.

It's also my dear brother's birthday, so I am thinking about him. Lately when I do, this song is the soundtrack, bringing back thoughts of summer night dips in the pool. 

75!

14 August 2021:

[Catch-up post]

Celebrated 75 years of my favorite guy yesterday.

Sibling reunion

[Catch-up post...]

15 May 2021: When I was last in the same space as these two (December 24, 2019), I had no idea it would be so long until we repeated it. So profoundly grateful for vaccines.

Another shot in the arm...

25 March 2021: Christian got his first shot today. Now that just leaves Erin, Jeff, and Eric (among my immediate family). And the kids, of course. Closer and closer to feeling secure...

Birthday boy...

13 June 2018:

Here's one of my favorite silly pictures of my big brother, Christian, who is celebrating a birthday today. This was on Thanksgiving back in 2011 (as if the turkey wasn't enough of a clue). He's a pretty cool dude (and an excellent cook--again, see turkey) and always up for something fun. I love him a lot. Happy birthday, buddy! Hope you have the great day/month/year you deserve.

Thanksgiving 2017

23 November 2017: "Give me a stack of 10,000 Bibles and I will swear it on them!" --my brother Christian, defending his dubious story about how Todd the Rabbit, who lived with us for years and years, came to be a part of the family. For the record, Christian swears a woman rang the doorbell and said, "There's a rabbit in your yard." Of course, he was working at a vet at the time, so the story is fishy...

Anyway, a nice holiday at my sister's house, especially when we found ourselves laughing about good times.

Birthday boy...

13 June 2017: "It feels like 1996." --my brother Christian today, as we talked on the phone today about the amazing season the Yankees are having, particularly the young talent who are just amazing the heck out of us.

Today's "listening" post incorporates two of my favorite things: baseball and my brother, who celebrated his birthday today.

My big brother...

13 June 2014: It's been a rough week, but a highlight from yesterday was talking to my brother, Christian, on his birthday. He's just a great guy and I love him a lot. Talking to him made me happy and I am lucky to have him in my life.

Christmas in New York

A bit bummed that I didn't get any pictures of Jennifer, Jeff, Ryan, or my dad, but here are a few pictures of other folks.

Kelsie.

Olivia.

Aidan.

Colin, Christian, and Olivia. Wish the kids would stop with the rabbit ears thing--and that that candle wasn't in Christian's face, but I think he looks very nice otherwise!

Colin with the sock monkey I got him.

The boys with the Lego headlamps I got them.

Colin (with lamp) and me.

My mom and Kelsie.

Me, Tara, and Christian.

Kelsie's confirmation

It's hard to believe that Kelsie is 13 and old enough to take part in the Rite of Confirmation, but she is and she did (this past Sunday). I am so proud of the lovely, smart, and sweet young lady she is becoming. Some pictures from the celebration afterwards:

 Christian and Aidan.

 

 Ryan and Colin.

 Olivia and Erin.

 My mom and Colin.

Me and Kelsie.

 Eric, who always makes the best faces. He's going to be fun dad.

Jeff and my mom.

Me and Christian.

 All five siblings. (Perhaps you might notice my wardrobe change? I had to leave straight from the party to head back to WV and changed from my rather pretty dress into driving clothes. That's when my dad decided it was picture time. Sigh.)

 Kelsie and her tantes.

My parents and Kelsie.

Some Thanksgiving pictures...

Once again, I didn't get pictures of everyone, but I did get some good ones.