When my girls were in middle school, one of their assignments was to write a poem titled "I Am From." I've saved those poems, and I still read them. I always loved the idea of a piece that was a word collage of memories. In honor of Mother's Day, I've written my own "I Am … Continue reading I Am From
Memories
Flea Market Weekend
On the first weekend in May, there is an antique car show and flea market in Rhinebeck, NY. When I was a kid, this was arguably one of my favorite weekends of the whole year. We'd pack up our little family camper with clothes and food. Then my dad would pack his stuff, filling the … Continue reading Flea Market Weekend
Old Wives Tales
Remember when your mother told you to be nice to your brother? It's because a gypsy once came to the house, offering to buy you, but your brother wouldn't let her sell you. That one came from a friend, but I can certainly remember a lot of stuff my mom (and grandma and aunts) told … Continue reading Old Wives Tales
God Bless The Outcasts
I am not in this picture. I don't know why. There are gaps in my high school memories, huge and numerous holes that I'm trying to fill in, even if just a little. I've enlisted the help of Facebook Messenger... and my old friends who were there, of course. I know the kids in this … Continue reading God Bless The Outcasts
The House on Colonial Heights
There is a house on Colonial Heights with a postage-stamp-sized front yard. The hedges that lined the sidewalk, the garden in the corner with its portulacas and hens and chicks, and the shade from the trees with the low-hanging branches seemed to create their own little oasis, in my eight year old mind. The closed-in … Continue reading The House on Colonial Heights
There Is…
There is a song that plays on the radio, "Upside Down" by Jack Johnson, as we begin a long drive home. There are tears that I'm trying to keep, unsuccessfully, from leaking out of my eyes. There is a scratchy Dunkin Donuts napkin I use to wipe them away. There are memories tied to this … Continue reading There Is…
Yankee Swap
I was first introduced to the Yankee Swap at our family Christmas party, although I don't remember exactly how long ago. I can't remember a family Christmas party without a Yankee Swap, so it's obviously been a tradition for a long time. Although everyone just called it the "Grab Bag," which seemed appropriate for the … Continue reading Yankee Swap
Potluck
I grew up thinking potluck dinners were the only way to feed a large gathering of people. My Dad grew up in a large family, and I have more cousins than I could name when I was little. We would gather several times a year- my Gram's birthday, Christmas Eve, spring clean-ups. My aunts would … Continue reading Potluck
The House on Villa Street
I grew up in a house that wasn't on an actual street, that didn't used to be an actual house. My grandmother was my closest neighbor, and two families of aunts, uncles, and cousins lived down the hill on adjacent properties. I grew up hearing the trains … Continue reading The House on Villa Street
Part Time
I heard a Hootie and the Blowfish song, "Hold my Hand," on the radio the other day and I was immediately taken back to my high school job at the mall. It was my junior year, and I was working at J. Riggings, a tiny little men's clothing store. It was in a corner … Continue reading Part Time
Gretchen L. Mulroy 