Tag Archives: death

Life, Loss and My 23-Year-Old Top Loading Maytag Washer

Posted on August 26, 2021 by pegoleg

It is a truth universally known that appliances die in threes.  You watch in helpless dread when the dishwasher starts leaking, because you know your breakdown woes have just begun.  Appliance blight will almost certainly spread.  You can only hope … Continue reading →

Posted in General Ramblings | Tagged , , , | 41 Comments

My Mother’s Hands

Posted on July 17, 2018 by pegoleg

  I have my mother’s hands.   That’s not something I’ve ever taken as a compliment – no offense, Mom. Our hands are broad and short-fingered.   A network of lines criss-crosses both palm and back.  The adjectives “sturdy” and “capable” come to mind … Continue reading →

Posted in General Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

My Dad Had No Rhythm, Yet He Will Always Be Master Of The Dance

Posted on October 10, 2017 by pegoleg

  My Dad sired 9 children. He then topped that accomplishment by staying around, with our Mom, to raise every one of us. For that reason alone, he deserves to be Father of The Year. Not convinced? Here are a … Continue reading →

Posted in General Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 56 Comments

Yet Another Milestone I’d Rather Avoid

Posted on April 19, 2017 by pegoleg

  According to the saying, “A diamond is forever.”  That’s why engagement rings have diamonds – they symbolize permanence.  But I know a rock that makes a diamond look as fleeting as a Popsicle on a summer sidewalk, and that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in General Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 65 Comments

Dancing Through the Raindrops

Posted on March 7, 2017 by pegoleg

Longfellow’s classic poem warns, “Into each life some rain must fall.”  But how are we supposed to cope when life seems to be a never-ending series of gully-washers? A couple of months ago I took a trip to Washington state … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer Schmancer | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 60 Comments

Magic Carpet Ride

Posted on September 29, 2015 by pegoleg

How we view the end of life is a reflection of how we view life itself  – it’s a question of perspective. Those of you who have been around here a while may recall that a couple of years ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Cancer Schmancer, General Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 78 Comments

Rocks Of Ages

Posted on September 3, 2015 by pegoleg

  It started with the death of someone I’d never met. I am a treasure seeker (aka pack-rat) and love going to auctions.  If I’m at an estate auction, I pass the time constructing a biography of the person’s life.  … Continue reading →

Posted in General Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , | 91 Comments

How To Earn The Title: World’s Worst Mother-In-Law

Posted on July 10, 2014 by pegoleg

About 25 years ago my mother-in-law, Virginia, and sister-in-law, Jane, asked me to go with them to a taping of a talk show then popular in Chicago, the Jenny Jones Show.   We were put in a holding room where the … Continue reading →

Posted in General Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 78 Comments

What We Remember At The End

Posted on November 1, 2013 by pegoleg

Two women slid into the pew directly in front of me as the church service started.  The younger led her mother by the hand.  The tiny, elderly woman was a bit unsteady on her feet, but her eyes were bright … Continue reading →

Posted in General Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 73 Comments

Heads You Win, Tails You Lose

Posted on March 25, 2013 by pegoleg

* Oh, God!  We’re slowing to a crawl.  Look at those taillights, stretching ahead as far as the eye can see.   Damn!  I’m going to be late for work for SURE.  And will my jerk-wad boss care that it is … Continue reading →

Posted in General Ramblings | Tagged , , , , , | 54 Comments