Category Archives: Family

The Progression of “I’m Not Making Too Much for Christmas Dinner”

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

My family is pretty much…Italian. Especially my Mom.  Every year  around this time the conversation about Christmas Dinner plays itself out in this manner (which I would not trade for the world). A month before Christmas – possibly on Thanksgiving:  … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Food, Humor, love | Tagged , , , | 28 Comments

Whatever you’re “mad for” this week

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

That phrase keeps running through my mind –  “Whatever you’re ‘mad for’ this week” … six words written in a cruel fashion, meant to tear me down.   It worked. I was torn.  These words were written around March/April in an … Continue reading →

Posted in change, coping mechanisms, Family, Secrets | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

Plastic Magic

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

“I don’t believe you.”  I think I said this a million times. “It’s true,” my mother, obviously exasperated with my disbelief, replied again and again. “Are you sure? Are you really sure?” “Yes. Yes, I’m sure – I wouldn’t lie … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Education, Family, Humor, Language, Librarian, love, Parenting, Random Thoughts, Reading, Relationships, Story, Words | Tagged , , , , , | 55 Comments

Memories of Mujadara

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

Some moments in time are perfect. When everything around you was just so; understanding, even then, that you are most likely going remember the time for eternity.  It doesn’t have to be anything dramatic or even noteworthy, it’s just a time … Continue reading →

Posted in Baking, Cooking, Eating, Family, Food, Humor, love, Recipes, Relationships, Vegetarian, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Whirlpool Sploosh Ball Wars Update

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

Greetings People, I know it’s been a while since I posted.  There’s actually a reason, besides the obvious one, that my brain no longer works correctly.  I, too, was worried about that for a while ~  But stay tuned, all … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Children, Family, Health, Injury, Mental Health, Parenting, Philosophy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Whirlpool Sploosh Ball Wars – Therapy in Action

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

We have a round pool. An above ground round pool. It is much, much, much fun. We’ve had these kind of stanchion pools for years now – and having a pool available in the Tucson’s summer heat is most desirable. … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Children, coping mechanisms, Family, Health, Humor, Mental Health, Parenting, Philosophy, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Life in the Furniture Store

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

My mom is a HARDCORE shopper – and by hardcore, I mean anyone that shops more than me. And by ‘more than me’, I mean anyone willing to stay in a store beyond the absolute minimum time it takes to put … Continue reading →

Posted in Aversions, Childhood, Clothing, Family, Humor, Parenting, Philosophy, Random Thoughts, shopping, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 100 Comments

Searching for Tribe

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

Give me some place that I can go  Where I don’t have to justify myself Swimming out alone against this tide Looking for a family looking for tribe                          … Continue reading →

Posted in Bikram Yoga, Blogging, Childhood, Children, Family, Italian, love, nostalgia, Philosophy, Random Thoughts, Relationships | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 46 Comments

Double Dog Dare

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

Hmmm… I think I’ve accepted a ‘double dog dare’ from my friend to write more. I don’t know what that’s exactly going to look like – but it may or may not involve you being suckered into reading more stuff. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Family, Humor, Random Thoughts, Sharon K Penmen, Words, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

The Five Second Rule Fail

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher

My husband and I feel very differently about ‘the 5 second rule’ – come on, you know what it is…the rule that food dropped on the floor is edible if picked up within 5 seconds (as long as it’s not … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Children, Eating, Family, Food, Humor, Parenting, Story | Tagged , , , , , , | 68 Comments