Autumn Joy

Last year, we traveled all over Ohio searching for the vibrant colors of Autumn. We never found them. Shortly before summer ended, a windstorm hit Central Ohio and blew a lot of foliage from the trees. I'll likely never forget that stormy night because we were on the road headed home from Pittsburgh. Ed refused to pull off and our SUV rocked and swerved for two nerve-wracking hours before we pulled safely into the drive. I wrote an article about it and perhaps I'll repost it sometime later. Anyway, this fall has truly made up for the disappointment it dealt us last year!

The surrounding beauty makes me joyful - almost giddy!

Having Some Spring with my Coffee

Contrary to what I really wanted last week along with my lingering nasty head congestion and stomach virus, I had termites and carpenter ants with my morning cup of joe. The best coffee in the world couldn’t make any creeping crawling thingy within 50 yards of my house forgettable, unless it was sweetened with Irish crème. In which case, I would probably forget my name.

I should have told the nice Etymologist salesperson from Terminix he didn’t need to worry about the close. We planned to treat the house even if he didn’t see evidence of termites, ants or creeping bugs. But, Ed made him work for the sale. We also received a free flash course about termites and ants. (The test came later.) Did you know the lifespan of a termite queen is thirty years! I’m thinking of adding cellulose to my morning coffee.

The technician arrived to treat the property with 200+ gallons of spray, which also turned out to be the test –  how long a Terminix tech could push my buttons. After he explained the plan for 30 minutes, he set off with his sprayer gadgets to exterminate. I smiled and sat down at my desk to work. But, the tech knocked on the door.

"The gates are both locked," he said.

He couldn't climb over the fence, of course. I located a key, put on my shoes, unlocked a gate, traipsed back inside, washed my hands, filled my coffee mug and sat down at my desk to work. He knocked on the door again.

"I need to drill holes in the deck, do you want them plugged?" he asked.

After addresing the holes, I returned to my desk and tried to pick up where I left off. Yup, another knock.

"Just wanted to tell you I put the carpet back down on the deck for you," he said.

I called Ed at work and suggested he might want to come home to take pictures and answer the door every 15 minutes. Alright, I didn’t mention the door part.

Normally, I’m a patient and friendly individual. A stuffed head, aching body, two cups shy of normal coffee quota, laundry, phone calls, loud drilling noises and interruptions every 15 minutes makes me less than jovial.  Yanking on my hair would have felt more productive than answering the door every few minutes.

When I heard another knock, I prayed as I followed the worn path on my carpet. Imagine the thrill of seeing my hero on the stoop with camera in hand when I flung open the door!

The following two hours of coffee slurping, interruption free, allowed me to pour immense energy into a picture book manuscript. I only lost one key on my keyboard. I felt such relief, next time I opened the door and saw those holes the tech drilled into my front stoop? Well, I didn’t pass all the way out when I gasped. And the fresh air reminded me Spring had sprung. Which is really what I wanted to have with my coffee all week anyway.

Life births issues along with babies

It's not often that I write about news stories, but this one hit me. Imagine learning from your fertility doctor that the baby you and your husband are thrilled to be having isn't really yours. Imagine being the "real" parents when the baby is placed in their arms because the woman carrying the child plans to hand him over after she's had a moment with the baby following his birth.

How can these things happen? More importantly, how do people survive the pain and trauma? Wow, so much to learn here.

You can read the full article here.

Son's pediatrician lost license to practice

A couple months ago when I called to schedule an appointment with my son's pediatrician, the receptionist told me his certification was being reviewed and he couldn't see patients. It sounded odd to me, but I scheduled an appointment with another pediatrician in the office.

My hair stylist and I talked about our kids today while she cut my hair. She felt disappointed that her son's pediatrician (who nailed an ongoing issue resulting in her boy's improved health) had lost his license to practice for 18 months. She asked me if I heard about a scandal involving a local pediatrician. I hadn't heard a word. I asked for his name. Small world. It's my son doctor!

Two years ago during an office visit, my boy acted smug and cocky with the (same) pediatrician. He shoved my son in the chest and knocked him up against me. His head hit me in the face. At the time, I was so shocked I hardly knew how to respond. Anyone who knows me well, knows I'm a sensible person and a good parent. The incident ruffled my feathers to say the least, but I let it slide for several reasons. Besides when I told Ed about it later, although it surprised him, he didn't feel it was a huge crime.

I'm wondering if I should have made a bigger fuss about it and whether I should keep quiet about it now? Please don't tell me I'm a horrible person because I didn't address the issue further 2 years ago. That's not going to solve this dilemma. Right now, I'm just trying to determine what the right course of action should be at this point - or whether I should forget it. Obviously, we'll never want him to treat our kids again. But, perhaps he shouldn't ever practice again? His suspension is a result of attempted sexual imposition on a child's mother.

What say you? 

Ed & Kim

This image reminds me of Ed and I. Like two happy birds - getting on with things. Yep, another day...and loving it!

Hanging with the Boys

     We dashed out the door Friday morning together with the boys. While Ed was in meetings, I would hang with the kids.  It was supposed to be an exciting day. From the parking garage we walked across the skywalk into the corporate building. After getting visitor passes, Ed took the boys in an elevator to the top so they could check out the birds eye view of Columbus. I waited on the ground floor with the water fountains, sipped my coffee and picked out the plants I wished I could take home with me. When they returned, Ed took off for meetings and we headed for an exciting tour of the statehouse a few blocks down the street. Woo Hoo!
     Ten minutes into the tour Noah was whispering that he wished he had brought the Game boy while David scowled at the tour guide who was grilling him for the third time about Ohio factoids. Forty-five minutes into the tour I was thanking God for the balcony above the House chamber. The boys thought it was the coolest. Somehow the prospect of falling over the railings was awe-inspiring. Ed called to find out where we were and he met up with us at the tail end of the tour - about lunchtime. Convenient.
     (Seriously, the Ohio Statehouse is an amazing piece of history and architecture when 2 young sons aren't present to sabotage your perspective. From the dome of the cupola to the marble floors, limestone exterior of the Atrium, arches and vaults in the Crypt, 88 Ohio counties cut from 6 types of marble from around the world and inlaid on the floor of the Map Room, massive columns, sculptures, busts, grand staircases and so much more -  it's a phenomenal must-see.)
     The Nationwide Arena Theater is a fun place to lunch because during the noon hour, movie trailers play on the big screens. Noah was especially excited about being allowed to eat lunch in the balcony. (Something about those balconies.) Meanwhile David was thoroughly engrossed in the Superman movie that was running on a TV screen in the cafe. Remember the scene in Superman where the woman loses control of her vehicle? She screams as she heads into a crowd of people? The car careens toward buildings just before going airborne. She continues to scream until she realizes she's sailing smoother than a schooner on calm seas. Then her car descends in a controlled dive. She gazes into the romantic face of  Superman in her rearview mirror as she glides into a perfect landing. You feel the changing pace of her heart as it shifts from sheer panic to breathtaking flutter. Superman opens her door. She emerges mesmerized, wraps her arms around his neck and throws her legs up into his arms. He's cradling all of her easily in his genteel Superman biceps, but the look on his face suggests he's contemplating what to do with her and then my 5th grade son bursts out as though he's reading Superman's mind--or lines, "Uh....does this belong to anyone?"
     Lately it seems David has had a growing unfondness for females. I'm not psychic, but I'm pretty sure that will change in the next few years. In the meantime, I'm (mostly) thoroughly enjoying escorting him and Noah around this summer doing the fun things  boys like to do - and thinking how way cool it is being one of the few females on the planet they don't equate with the plague.

Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio


Columns, Columbus, Ohio Statehouse

Cupola in the Rotuda of the Columbus, Ohio Statehouse

Looking into the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse, a circular room