Flying free

July 5, 2011January 6, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 7 Comments

Late in the afternoon at my July 4th family reunion, we joined in a new tradition... a balloon release. Red, white and blue helium balloons, each representing a loved one who has passed away, were loosed, as we said good-byes to grandparents, mothers and fathers, aunts and uncles, sisters, brothers, cousins and friends. It was … Continue reading Flying free

Freedom

July 4, 2011January 7, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 3 Comments

Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. ~ Thomas Paine Have a safe and happy Independence Day

Notes from the road

July 2, 2011January 7, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 9 Comments

Taking a long weekend to visit the kinfolk in Tennessee, and as they say in the south, “it’s hot as blue blazes.” Which translates into it’s hot as hell, and I’m living in shorts, even more so than back in Florida. Being that I am interacting with more people in public here than I am … Continue reading Notes from the road

Old Glory and home of the brave

June 27, 2011January 6, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 12 Comments

Sparklers, and firecrackers, Black snakes and jumping jacks Rockets red glare Bomb bursting in air Gunpowder smell of sulphur The tang of smoke, stinging eyes Apple pie and blackberry cobbler, Coconut and chocolate, pecans and caramel Hand-cranked vanilla ice cream, Cans of bittersweet Hershey’s syrup Eaten by spoonfuls with cousin Danny Under farm wagons turned … Continue reading Old Glory and home of the brave

My mother’s garden

May 8, 2011January 9, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 16 Comments

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters, daughters, step-moms and surrogate moms. May your day be filled with adoration, pampering and gratitude... relax, enjoy and bask in the love of your families. “In search of my mother's garden, I found my own.” ~ Alice Walker *photos taken at Camp Helen State Park, … Continue reading My mother’s garden

Mother’s Day (off)

May 7, 2011January 9, 2015 ~ Tara R. ~ 7 Comments

Mother’s Day... it’s a quirky little holiday. There is probably some heartwarming story behind it, I've probably read it, if you want to... you'll have to Google it. I'm more than a little ambivalent about the holiday. For the first few years of motherhood you have to rely on the largess of Baby Daddy. He's … Continue reading Mother’s Day (off)