Sometimes It Pays to be Inept

Thank God for sons. My oldest, Patrick, offered to do something so wonderful this Christmas, so stupendous and magical, I’m pinching myself. Okay, the real reason he’s doing it is because I’m incompetent. But I’m all right with that. In fact, I couldn’t be happier. Patrick is putting up our Christmas tree. No doubt, my […]

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Ghosts of Christmas Trees Past

  They still haunt me. I catch glimpses of large Christmas firs in other people’s living rooms, aglow with lights and shiny ornaments. I picture wreaths and bows and poinsettias and give a sigh. That’s what my living room used to look like. But time moved on and our family has gone through three distinct […]

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Seriously…What Do You Get the Man Who Has Everything?

  I’m not being rhetorical here. I need help. What do you get the man who has every gadget, device, musical instrument, wine accessory, wine, article of clothing, and even neon-colored sneakers? This happens every December, the time of year I’m handed one of my biggest life tasks… I must buy a Christmas present for […]

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