There are two children
in my house who bear a
striking resemblance to my
daughters. They are adorable,
smart and energetic.
Like my daughters, they
can spend hours drawing
and coloring or watching
DVDs about princesses and
adventures. They even answer
to my daughters’
names.
And yet, I ca’t help but
be suspicious about their
true identity because these
girls have been nice to each
other.
Mornings around Schoolhouse
Farm are always difficult.
There is only one
bonafide morning person in
our home, and that’s Bee.
The rest of us do what we
can — Papa at a determined
pace, me in a fog of
overnight caffeine withdrawal,
and Posey with either
a mischievous clown
face or an outright scowl.
For her part, Bee doesn’t
have much patience with
people who aren’t morning
people.
So I was dreading the
first day of school just a
bit.
In her excitement to
start the new school year,
Bee had planned her ensemble
down to the smallest
detail, and declared the
night before that she was
going to wake up early, get
dressed immediately and
make her own breakfast
``because that is what first
graders do.’’ (Clearly, she
hasn’t met a lot of high
school students.)
Her unmitigated enthusiasm
for school is wonderful,
don’t get me wrong.
And her self-sufficiency is
even more admirable.
But in a house full of
non-morning people, it’s
wise to keep the one morning
person occupied.
I set my own alarm extra
early so I could be on
top of my game. I predicted
that Bee would be up and
ready to board the bus approximately
one hour before
it arrived. That would
give her plenty of time to
get antsy and look for a diversion
to fill her spare
time - something like parroting
her little sister’s conversation
(``Stop copying
me!’’) or reminding her father
and me of some vague
quasi-promise we may or
may not have made three
years ago whose fulfillment
has become urgently and
immediately necessary
(``Remember that time you
said it would be fun to go
back to that museum in
Philadephia? Remember?
Remember when you said
that? When are we going to
do that?’’).
But that’s not how the
morning progressed, and
that’s what makes me so
suspicious.
Bee was sitting calmly
at the kitchen island eating
her breakfast when Posey
woke and, still rubbing her
sleepy eyes, recounted a
dream about Bee and a castle
and a knight who saved
her.
``You tell the best stories,’’
Bee said, in one of the
few spontaneous, genuine
compliments she has ever
given her little sister.
Moments later, Posey
told Bee she was beautiful.
Then Bee helped stir
Posey’s oatmeal and kindly
passed it to her.
Then Posey said, ``Thank
you.’’
Then a sparkly unicorn
flew down from the top of
Panther Mountain and
beckoned us to ride her far
away to a land where eating
chocolate makes you
rich and buying shoes
makes you smart!
Okay, so that last part
didn’t happen, but it is no
less fantastical than what
did transpire.
Having grown up with
only a brother, I have no direct
experience with sisterhood.
I ask a lot of questions
to adults and children
who are old enough to be a
little reflective. The answers
span the full spectrum.
It got easier as we got
older.
It got so much harder
when we were in middle
school and high school.
They’ll probably always
be friends, like my sister
and me.
If their relationship survives
past college, they
might have a chance at beginning
a friendship.
One young friend with
keen analytical skills said
of her relationship with her
younger sister: ``We are
closest friends, but we can
be the worst enemies.’’
I don’t doubt that for a
minute. Girls can have a
rare talent for being hurtful
to other girls, and being
close with someone means
they know all your weaknesses,
and you know
theirs.
The challenge is to teach
your daughters to lift each
other up, cheer each other
up and, when the time arrives,
back each other up.
And if at all possible,
teach one of them to make
coffee.
Elizabeth Trever Buchinger
knows you are, but
what am I? You can connect
with her at www.moremindfulfamily.
wordpress.
org.
Columns
This Wonderful Life: Who are these little girls?
- Columns
-
-
In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
It is with sadness that we note the passing of long time friend, and distantrelative, Jane Patrick. Over the years we have worked with Jane in a number of organizations including Women’s Club and the Community Advisory Committee at Bassett. And, of course, in later years we joined her, along with the other Dinner Belles, for any number of delicious meals. But we do think that our favorite memory that we shared with Jane was when we discovered, having both married Cooperstown natives, that we shared Cooperstown Christmas plans.
Continued ... -
Up On Hawthorn Hill: Bird Feeder?
Bird feeder is a relative term. At least that is the case around here. A few mornings ago we spotted the first rabbit to visit the feeders. Normally, all we see during the winter are rabbit tracks crisscrossing the gardens.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
Continued ...
-
In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
