Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Category: Family
Love, Birds, and a Disappeared Cat
I’ve told this story before, but some stories are just so unbelievable that they bear telling more than once. My father who was born in 1913 and died in 2002 loved birds. He especially loved finches. He also loved growing roses. These things weren’t… Continue Reading “Love, Birds, and a Disappeared Cat”
A Pirate’s Envy: My Silver Stash
The best pirate has nothing on me and my stash of silver. This isn’t even all of it. There is also my wedding silver and my mother-in-law’s silver. This pile of silver has been stowed beneath the church pew in our dining room. Not… Continue Reading “A Pirate’s Envy: My Silver Stash”
How to Transport a Thanksgiving Turkey
Preface [In 1956, my family moved from Hastings, Michigan, my mom’s hometown and where my grandmother lived to Southfield, a suburb of Detroit. The move made it possible for my dad to realize his dream of owning a Ben Franklin store, but it pretty… Continue Reading “How to Transport a Thanksgiving Turkey”
The Big Box on the Porch
My sister hasn’t talked to me in decades. Over the many years, letters I’ve sent to her have been returned including one telling her that our brother had died. I took pictures of her estranged son’s grandchildren and sent them to her because, upon… Continue Reading “The Big Box on the Porch”
Waiting for the Dinner Bell
On the kitchen counter, there is a plastic bag full of freezer burn and what might possibly be remnants from a Thanksgiving turkey, year unknown. Next to the turkey bag is a small plastic refrigerator contained filled with something red. There is no label.… Continue Reading “Waiting for the Dinner Bell”
The Day is Precious All Around
We made Easter baskets at our Ben Frankin store. Easter grass, chocolate bunnies, jellybeans – a lot of jellybeans – and a big toy of some kind like a kite or a plastic ball and bat. Then everything was wrapped in colored cellophane and… Continue Reading “The Day is Precious All Around”
The Scattering and Gathering of Wits
I’d have written more but I’ve been busy keeping my wits about me. Seems they’ve been scattered everywhere. Some on the floor of my car, others crumpled in the pocket of my blazer, still more glittering in piles on the kitchen counter next to… Continue Reading “The Scattering and Gathering of Wits”
Safely at Home and Abroad
We had to pry our safe open with a butter knife. To make sure the cat doesn’t somehow manage to push the lid shut, I put the weighted arm band from our fall prevention class over the clasp. This is what passes for security… Continue Reading “Safely at Home and Abroad”
How to Transport a Thanksgiving Turkey
Preface [In 1956, my family moved from Hastings, Michigan, my mom’s hometown and where my grandmother lived to Southfield, a suburb of Detroit. The move made it possible for my dad to realize his dream of owning a Ben Franklin store, but it pretty… Continue Reading “How to Transport a Thanksgiving Turkey”
Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
Recent Comments