Author Archives: chick

Stories About the Kids

Posted on 02/08/2024 by chick

Kids are constantly growing, constantly changing. That means you can’t keep a post called “Stories About the Kids” in your drafts folder for a long time and expect that it will continue to be relevant. With that thought in mind, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Conversations With Livia

Posted on 02/07/2024 by chick

I sometimes keep a box of instant oatmeal in my office. I like instant oatmeal for those days when I’m feeling lazy. Then I don’t have to go downstairs to get breakfast. I can just make the oatmeal in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Crazy Me, Livia Says | Leave a comment

Reading Report: Late January 2024

Posted on 01/27/2024 by chick

I just finished my fourth book for January 2024. It was The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I gave it a B grade. I may raise or lower that grade later, depending on how the book sits with … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading | 1 Comment

Lessons and Concerts

Posted on 01/26/2024 by chick

Last year my music composition lessons hadn’t been going well, and I was thinking of quitting, but then my teacher gave me an unusual lesson. He played a Schubert piece for me, talking about the various chord changes and other … Continue reading →

Posted in Crazy Me | Leave a comment

Bugged

Posted on 01/25/2024 by chick

There is a bug in my office. Not the spying kind. Nobody’s listening to me (that I know of) and damned if they wouldn’t be bored if they were. No, I literally mean the insectoid kind. It buzzes around every … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Loving the Dream

Posted on 01/25/2024 by chick

My husband found out last year that as the child of Portuguese citizens he is entitled to Portuguese citizenship himself. He’s looking into it. If he did get Portuguese citizenship, then the kids and I could get it, too, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Random Thoughts from Last Year

Posted on 01/24/2024 by chick

At my last eye appointment, the doctor said that my eyes had gotten better. This was hard for me to believe, because my vision had gotten noticeably worse. Having thought about it since, I think I understand the seeming discrepancy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crazy Me | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Great Series

Posted on 01/23/2024 by chick

Two of the books of Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain were on the Top 100 Children’s Books. If I’d had any say in the list, I’d have included the entire series as a single item (ditto the Harry Potter and … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading | 2 Comments

Don’t Read It for the Mystery

Posted on 01/22/2024 by chick

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb, B- In The Violin Conspiracy, high schooler Ray McMillian wants to play the violin, but his mother wants him to get his GED and quit school early so that he can get a job. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading | Leave a comment

The Wind in the Willows

Posted on 01/21/2024 by chick

Continuing my quest to read all of the Top 100 Children’s Books, I read The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. In short, the story is about three anthropomorphic animals (Mole, Ratty, and Badger) who become friends and help … Continue reading →

Posted in Reading | Leave a comment