From My Front Porch

Life's stories connect lives

Archives for August 2016

Family Vacation Fun

Zeke and Zadok loved the big fload Aunt Cassie (Mom) pulled them around on.
Zeke and Zadok loved the big fload Aunt Cassie (Mom) pulled them around on.

We interrupt our regularly scheduled article to overload you on cuteness. We’re on vacation with a whole slew of children. We had nine children six years old and younger in our lake house today. You should have seen the place. I swept up all the crumbs at least three times, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Because I’m enjoying this vacation so much, I’ll give you a photo post this week full of shots from our excellent adventure.

Please forgive me if the formatting is off. I’m trying to spend as much time with family as possible.

Papa had some quality time with his boys Zeke and Zadok.
Papa had some quality time with his boys Zeke and Zadok.
Papa: Ever the teacher.
Papa: Ever the teacher.
Papa was in his element, but Zeke staked his claim on that lap.
Papa was in his element, but Zeke staked his claim on that lap.
This meal required a little clean up time, but he enjoyed it, and Nona's (Aunt Martha's) spaghetti was a big hit.
This meal required a little clean up time, but he enjoyed it, and Nona’s (Aunt Martha’s) spaghetti was a big hit.
Logan enjoyed Tia (Aunt Margaret).
Logan enjoyed Tia (Aunt Margaret).
The big cousins loved on the little ones.
The big cousins loved on the little ones.
Gabby and David enjoyed swinging PeePaw in the hammock.
Gabby and David enjoyed swinging PeePaw in the hammock.
We had our son's high school graduation on vacation. As you can see, it was very formal.
We had our son’s high school graduation on vacation. As you can see, it was very formal.
No camping trip would be complete without s'mores.
No camping trip would be complete without s’mores

Sisterhood of Traveling Attitude: Traveling North

We lost Mom over ten years ago, and one sister is missing from this photo. Insert a sister-in-law, and stir for instant fun.
We lost Mom over ten years ago, and one sister is missing from this photo. Insert a sister-in-law, and stir for instant fun.

They’re coming! My sisters are coming to Michigan! If you haven’t read it, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Attitude” will explain my excitement. Four of my five sisters are headed this way with SUVs bulging. We’ll invade Houghton Lake and fish, cook, sunbathe, lounge, and all other sorts of activity that may or may not pass public muster. [Read more…]

on Legalizing Stuff

Legalizing SinI know change is hard, and I know that watching traditions die in the name of progress makes us feel our foundation is being pulled from under us. I know! I’m an English teacher for crying out loud. I’m still trying to keep kiddos from splitting infinitives.

I poured grammar and documentation rules into my students’ brains for decades only to have Grammar Girl and new MLA handbooks rain on my parade constantly.

You know what else change is? Inevitable.

[Read more…]

Things Wear Out

ChairsA writer spends a lot of time sitting. Apparently I sit aggressively. In a recent venue change, my new landlord noted how worn my office chair is. He commented to my two sons as they helped move furniture that they should make sure Mom got a new chair for Christmas. I shrugged it off and kept using the worn out chair. [Read more…]