My grandfather built a 3-story dollhouse out of balsa wood for me when I was about eight years old. It was one of the most cherished gifts I received as a child, and it was my favorite thing to play with for most of those years. I don't remember if it was a … Continue reading The Dollhouse that Boppa Built
Memories
Middle School Memories
Middle school was full of awkward moments for me. I had a massive crush on this kid who was a year older than me. My highs and lows of sixth grade revolved around how many times I'd pass him in the hall and whether or not he remotely looked in my direction. I'm also pretty … Continue reading Middle School Memories
The Cars that Drive Us
My family always had interesting cars. Cars with good stories to them. Most of them fell into the "gently used" or "new to us" category. Except for my mom's 1965 red Ford Falcon, she bought that one new. It wasn't really bright red, it was kind of a dull tomato soup color. She said that … Continue reading The Cars that Drive Us
The Day I Walked Out
I'm not sure if I just quit or got fired. That was my Facebook status six years ago, January 28, 2011. The day had started out like any other. I arrived early at the preschool, set up the center activities for the day, and checked my plan book for upcoming events. I … Continue reading The Day I Walked Out
The House on Fairfax Avenue
There's a white house with black trim that sits at the end of Fairfax Avenue, a dead end street within walking distance of my old middle school. There's a small one-bedroom apartment attached to it, and the garage sits under that, visible only from the side of the house. This is my Aunt Lu and … Continue reading The House on Fairfax Avenue
Sew What?
There's a brown free-standing cabinet by the window in the room over the garage. At first it looks like an ordinary, yet old, dresser. But if you open the cabinet doors- it's a sewing machine in disguise. On the inside of one door are pegs to hold about 100 spools of thread, … Continue reading Sew What?
Play That Song
"Alexa," my oldest calls out, "Play 'September' by Earth, Wind, and Fire." (Alexa is not another child, but merely another tech gadget of ours, a wireless, voice-activated internet speaker, with whom I am on good terms.) I'd like to take credit for introducing this song to my kids, but it more likely came from some … Continue reading Play That Song
Gram’s House
There's a small mint green Cape with white trim that sits facing the house I grew up in. Large brick flower boxes flank the front door. When I was younger, they almost always had petunias in them. From the ground up, these flower boxes are about 2 feet tall and 4 feet wide. A … Continue reading Gram’s House
Gretchen L. Mulroy 