family – Jody Sparks Mugele

I Have a Son

His name is August. It’s strange to read it, I know. It’s strange to write it, and I’ve had months to get used to the idea. A lump rises in my throat as I write it. I’ve asked myself many times why I struggle to look forward to being around the (freer and happier) son who’s beenContinue reading “I Have a Son”

The Dog who Loves Selfies

Magnolia has adopted Instagram as her preferred social media platform, and I’m committed to not getting my parental funk all over the site by joining it. She didn’t specifically ask me not to, but it’s an easy enough gesture. So, I’m sharing a few of the selfies she took with Eleanor and the dogs. Because theyContinue reading “The Dog who Loves Selfies”

Seeing Us In Them

I haven’t blogged about family in a while. Partly because the older the girls get the more they read the blog, so the more at risk I am for embarrassing them. But, I can share the following story safely. I think all parents and relatives have a keen eye for who looks like who inContinue reading “Seeing Us In Them”

A Bit of Nostalgia: The Couch

When I first began dating Josh, we spent a lot of time reading. Outside on the college campus, on rooftops, and in parks he’d read me The Once and Future King. On our very first date we went to a bookstore and we read Lafcadio, The Lion Who Shot Back. For our Contemporary Lit classContinue reading “A Bit of Nostalgia: The Couch”

Jody Sparks Alphabet P – T

Day four of the alphabet game. And speaking of letters, Eleanor has correctly spelled all fourteen lists worth of study words. Now we review. Tomorrow is the day, folks! Her favorite word is bolshevik. Mine is schnecke. And gesundheit. And tchotchke. Anyhoo — P is for Precious. I think you can only pull off usingContinue reading “Jody Sparks Alphabet P – T”

Dear Baby Jack

We’re family now. Maybe we’re not the coolest hipsters on the block, but I think you’ll be happy here. I hope you don’t mind some friendly words of advice and encouragement from your auntie. Words are my thing. And, there are a few things you may want to know about us. Being the baby ofContinue reading “Dear Baby Jack”

One Of My Favorite Moments of Marriage

I haven’t blogged about family recently, and I truly think my best posts are the family stories. This one is about Josh and me, last year. I believe he had just matched for his medical residency and our time was winding down in Michigan. We were out at the pub with Lisa and Evan, ourContinue reading “One Of My Favorite Moments of Marriage”

Oh, Cletus…

Okay, so Cleuts didn’t work out so well. He was loving (to me and Maggie) and lazy, but what I really wanted was a buddy for Phillip Marlowe, and that was NOT happening. I’m sure I should have known better and all of that, but on first visit they really liked one another. It’s likeContinue reading “Oh, Cletus…”

The Best Meal I Ever Had

I’ve only been out of the country twice, and I’m not including Canada. Both times I traveled, I went to Mexico. Most recently (2006), I went to Oaxaca and Hautulco. Josh lived in Oaxaca as a young boy, and it was a fabulous trip for the family to see a bit of his boyhood. LetContinue reading “The Best Meal I Ever Had”

Who Would Play You In A Movie? (5)

I haven’t played this game in a while. I’ve cast Josh and his other siblings: Kari and Heidi. I better complete this portion of the casting. For Josh’s older Brother, Erik, I’m casting Jeff Daniels. There’s a softness in his temperament that resembles Erik’s. And I like how Jeff Daniels plays kindness with a bitContinue reading “Who Would Play You In A Movie? (5)”