Whoops! I did it again. Every year I vow to cut back on Christmas spending. I tell myself that I have no need for more decorations, that I ought to let go of some of what I have to Goodwill, that the garlanding I do throughout our home is a colossal waste of time andContinue reading “Fa La La La La”
Author Archives: L E Kelly
Embers
The following is from a Write From Your Heart monthly workshop called Cardiograms in which my alumnae students and I write to prompts related to the tone or significant features of the month. The compositions are stream of consciousness, revelatory, and unedited. This is what my pen offered up for November. Nov. 22, 2021 WhenContinue reading “Embers”
Glory Days
That was the skyline of downtown Manhattan in 1978 – the jagged maw that grinned at me from across the harbor while I studied literature and partied too hard at Wagner College on Staten Island. In the forefront, those saber-toothed towers glistened in the sunlight and sparkled at night, and even though the glittering metropolisContinue reading “Glory Days”
Hardening Off
Is it really over? Is the new normal, the same-o normal or what? What’s going on? According to the This Morning Show I was forced to watch recently in the waiting area of a car dealership, we’re heading into another roaring twenties. Behind footage from the frenzied party scene from the Baz Luhrmann version ofContinue reading “Hardening Off”
a merry little COVID christmas
My mom used to say, “Every day is the same unless you make it different,” to justify her need to festoon her home for every major and minor holiday. Of course, Christmas, as it is for most Christians and Martha Stewart devotees, was her extravaganza. Every indoor surface was garlanded and adorned with holy andContinue reading “a merry little COVID christmas”
A Quiet Feast
Most of last week, I was miserable. My husband had had significant back surgery on Friday the 13th which, during the time of COVID-19, meant that I dropped him off at the hospital in the city and picked him up when it was over. The Hospital for Special Surgery was amazingly sensitive and communicative throughContinue reading “A Quiet Feast”
The Stillness of Us
It was our 26th wedding anniversary the other day. We didn’t celebrate in traditional ways except for the customary cards and flowers. There was no fancy dinner out or weekend getaway partly due to COVID-19 restrictions, partly because of other demands on our time right now. For you it was an appointment for a CTContinue reading “The Stillness of Us”
September Blue
In mid-July I had my first routine doctor’s appointment since quarantine. After navigating the COVID-19 intake procedures – wait in vehicle, take temp, wash hands – then reclining in the space chair for a howdy-do chat, my podiatrist, Dr. Garbus, talked to me about the “new stress.” His eyes were emphatic above his mask. “PeopleContinue reading “September Blue”
Lockdown Movie Nights
After rewatching a plethora of fabulous episodics – The Wire, Breaking Bad, Peaky Blinders, to name a few – we decided to nerd-out on old movies. Classics, really. Our list is long and access is remarkable. There’s no need to be bored for the duration of lockdown. However, we might need a new couch givenContinue reading “Lockdown Movie Nights”
Smile Maker
Have you found this spirit-lifter on Instagram yet? Guaranteed to brighten a moment with his silly, sometimes bawdy, sometimes thoughtful, always clever whinging and antics. Thank you @thelesliejordan
Linda Ellen Kelly 