Category Archives: Lessons

Fort

Posted on December 1, 2010 by sputterpub

When I was 12, we finally managed a good fort. In case you haven’t noticed or don’t remember, kids want forts. I’m sure they appreciate the bedroom provided by parents, or they would if they thought about it and imagined … Continue reading →

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Halloween

Posted on November 29, 2010 by sputterpub

   When I was 12 I wore my most ambitious Halloween costume, and it took no great skill to create. It was the October 31 of 7th grade, and my friend Gwennie Cebulski and I went as a pair of … Continue reading →

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Life Savers

Posted on November 26, 2010 by sputterpub

  When I was around 8, I acquired my own roll of Life Savers. My father had carried them around as long as I could remember. It wasn’t a daily ritual or anything regular like that; I just recall that now … Continue reading →

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The Incident with the Carving Knife

Posted on November 25, 2010 by sputterpub

When I was 11 or maybe 12, at a family dinner that was probably Thanksgiving, I engaged in a dangerous act of safety. It creeps me out to this day, just like imagining that the bannister down which I’m sliding … Continue reading →

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Immigration

Posted on November 24, 2010 by sputterpub

When I was 41, I met a birthday buddy. He was born exactly three years before I, and we were so alike it seemed a point for astrology. Until I got to know him better. There were similarities, sure, and … Continue reading →

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Queen of the Dog Park

Posted on November 23, 2010 by sputterpub

     When I was 41 I took on my last dog. I’d already loved Becky-the-beagle and Ajax and Jack and Ajax again (he lived long and with most of us), but Shelby was the first companion I acquired on my … Continue reading →

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Duck Box

Posted on November 18, 2010 by sputterpub

   When I was 23 I fell in love with a brass-chased pewter box at Gump’s. It was made in the shape of a duck, it came in two or three sizes, and the perfect one sold for about $20. It … Continue reading →

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Life in Las Rever

Posted on November 17, 2010 by sputterpub

   When I was around 10, I started mirror writing. I think my father first mentioned it to me; later I learned about Leonardo. I found it rather easy to write backwards in cursive. It got to where I could do … Continue reading →

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Insomnia

Posted on November 16, 2010 by sputterpub

     When I was 11 or 12, I had a little bout of insomnia. It was autumn, the beginning of either 7th or 8th grade, and for a few nights I couldn’t fall asleep. Nowadays that might have a different … Continue reading →

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Milling Spilk

Posted on November 15, 2010 by sputterpub

When I was around 40, I collaborated with Katie to create a shaggy dog story. We’d been chuckling about the genre, kind of collecting them. I think our favorite was the tale that ends with the line “people who live … Continue reading →

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