Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Category: Marriage, Family, Dogs, and Cat
What Comes Next: Plant a New Tree
After the City cut down our very old and very beautiful Norway Maple, the arborist brought us a list of trees from which to choose a replacement. There were a dozen trees on the list. “Look them up on the internet,” she told us.… Continue Reading “What Comes Next: Plant a New Tree”
I Own Fur Mukluks and They are Beautiful
I own a pair of fur mukluks from Canada. Putting them on involves threading the leather straps so they wind around my legs and tie in the front. These are not boots one just slips on to run outside. It’s a production. My husband… Continue Reading “I Own Fur Mukluks and They are Beautiful”
Walking the Path Out of Knee Camp
We are gradually leaving Knee Camp. It’s been okay there. The camp counselors are nice, and we learned a lot of new camp songs. We learned to tie new knots and how to replace the runners on walkers. We also got a refresher on… Continue Reading “Walking the Path Out of Knee Camp”
When She Had Endless New Years
She had dozens of New Years before she knew the end was near. Eighty six of them. The young woman in this picture, with one hand in her pocket and the other on the arm of her husband, is my grandmother. She’s not looking… Continue Reading “When She Had Endless New Years”
Christmas Story: Everything’s Real
See the diamond earrings? They’re not real. They’re fake. But you probably wouldn’t know by looking at them. I know because my husband told me after he took them to a jewelry store to get appraised. “You’re not going to like this,” he said,… Continue Reading “Christmas Story: Everything’s Real”
The Knee Rules
Nurse Jan here. My husband had his right knee replaced with something mysterious and mechanical. Like most things we’ve encountered as a couple, we probably underestimated the complexity of this process and overestimated our ability to handle the aftermath. But here we are. I’ll… Continue Reading “The Knee Rules”
When Your Mother Dies
When your mother dies, you will take care of things. You’ll call her friends on the phone and tell them one by one that their friend has died. You will listen as they nod and wait for them to tell you stories about her… Continue Reading “When Your Mother Dies”
My Saturday
I meant to empty the wastebaskets and change the litter box. I meant to vacuum the rugs and roll them up for storage for when my husband recovers from his knee surgery. I meant to scrub the sink and the toilet and wipe the… Continue Reading “My Saturday”
Rats
This is a piece I wrote a long time ago. Just reread it because I was desperate for something to bring to my writing group tomorrow. It was written before I quit swearing so much. Anyway, here it is. Rats. ________________ This is a… Continue Reading “Rats”
The History of Neighbors
After our dog nipped their daughter, the rabbi’s wife invited us to Sukkot dinner. Even though it was close to twenty years ago, I remember that we had spent a long hour talking in our driveway – me and my husband and the rabbi… Continue Reading “The History of Neighbors”
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
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