Category Archives: Family

I know just how that bullied school bus monitor felt

I never told anyone. Not the painful details, anyway. Instead, for my own sanity, I chalked it up as a rough patch in my horrible preteen (tween?) years. And used it as a proud reminder to myself of how far … Continue reading

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Little R&R on island named for Singer sewing machine guy

A little Memorial Day getaway to Singer Island, just off Palm Beach, Florida. On the way down from Philadelphia, had to tiptoe around a tropical storm that was bullying part of Florida. Escaped unscathed. A putting green at West Palm … Continue reading

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Let’s Paws: Happy Mother’s Day

I’m glad my peeps Mitch and Ginger the spoiled-rotten dachshund were there for me this Mother’s Day  — even if the latter still thought it was all about her and couldn’t emerge from Club Bed long enough to pay her … Continue reading

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Last chance to go hog wild before ‘Biggest Loser’ boot camp

Even as I’m typing this, I’m savoring my last heart-attack brekkie (as they’d say in Australia) of matzo brei. Yes, I know it’s not even Passover yet, and we’ve noshed our way through several boxes of Yehuda matzo — the … Continue reading

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Now’s the time to plan that trip to Alaska

I’d always been interested in seeing Alaska. Not because of Sarah Palin. Because of my late dad. He was stationed there during World War II. I think he was up in Nome, which really did look intriguingly close to Russia … Continue reading

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TSA finds ‘Cupcakegate’ hard to swallow

Planning on bringing treats — homemade or otherwise — through airport security? The TSA may have something to say about it, depending on how it’s packaged. This incident was dubbed Cupcakegate. I’ve transported Yodels and Ring Dings care packages to … Continue reading

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A not-so-little scrape with our European rental car

OK, now that I’m back from the Azores, it can be told: Instead of enjoying myself, this is how I spent part of my precious last day there. At a Mazda body shop. You shouldn’t know from it. I never … Continue reading

Posted in Europe, Family, My father's daughter, My sista, Renting cars abroad | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Azores, Portugal: Pot roast I wish grandma could have made

Yep, back to my Nanny Brown because she’s a main ingredient in any Jewish food story. Don’t get me wrong. Her brisket was the best meat I’d tasted. Until a few days ago. That’s when we took a drive to … Continue reading

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Azores, Portugal: How to eat a barnacle

OK, this would have vexed my bubbie Nanny Brown (Jewish grandma), who kept kosher, no end. Almost as much as me dating a Gentile guy. Have to admit, I was just about to lose what little lunch I’d already consumed … Continue reading

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Behind the Iron Curtain, Vol. 2: Berlin Wall

Imagine waking up one morning and finding you can’t get to work. In fact, you can’t go anywhere you used to. Cut off from relatives and friends. No escape, unless you’re willing to risk your life. That’s what happened in … Continue reading

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