Category Archives: Kerry

Winter Weather — Kerry – 1/18/2016

Posted on January 18, 2016 by eportugal4

Winter Weather January 18, 2016 There is always music in my head, an ongoing soundtrack accompanying my every task. Sometimes, I’m baffled by the tune my brain seizes. This morning, for instance. I went to bed last night dreading the … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged fighting the elements, frustration, staying organized, stress | 1 Comment

Beeps — Kerry – 1/12/2016

Posted on January 12, 2016 by eportugal4

Beeps January 11, 2016 I can’t breathe. My life is reduced to anticipation of a beep on the monitors. Lines reflect bedraggled heartbeats. The numbers leap into dangerous zones, then recede like a storm-swept tide. I watch a man, once … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged elderly, hospitals, maintaining composure, parents, sickness, suppressing emotion | 3 Comments

For Auld Lang Syne, My Dears — Kerry – 1/4/2016

Posted on January 4, 2016 by eportugal4

For Auld Lang Syne, My Dears January 4, 2016 My husband Andy asked why we bother to celebrate the New Year. Andy’s not much of a party-guy. He pointed out, “It will still be 2016 tomorrow morning even if we … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged celebration, fellowship, forgetting your troubles, New Year's Eve | 3 Comments

Home — Kerry – 12/28/2015

Posted on December 28, 2015 by eportugal4

Home December 28, 2015 I write as rains pelt the roof and winkle their way into my basement in streams that engulf my ankles. The weather’s pitter-patter used to soothe me, a comforting lullaby that made me enjoy the comforts … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged Christmas, counting one's blessings, house troubles, keeping perspective, lowered standards, no room in the inn | 4 Comments

Lighting the Way — Kerry -12/21/2015

Posted on December 21, 2015 by eportugal4

Lighting the Way 21 December 2015 I have a theory. When distilled into its simplest essence, holiday decorating is about bringing light to a dark time of the year. Winter Solstice, which falls somewhere around 21 December, marks the longest … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged blessings, dark, light, unity, winter solstice, wisdom | 1 Comment

Elf on the Shelf — Kerry – 12/15/2015

Posted on December 15, 2015 by eportugal4

Elf on the Shelf December 15, 2015 It is a trend here in the United States to position a plastic-faced, limp-bodied elf doll about the house to inspire children to do as asked. The elf watches with its insipid grin … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged behavior, elf on the shelf, fear, naughty list, rules, spying | 2 Comments

Wheeling — Kerry – 12/7/15

Posted on December 7, 2015 by eportugal4

Wheeling December 7, 2015 I am not as strong as my children, particularly my Sarah. In an attempt to understand what my girl goes through, I borrowed her wheelchair for an afternoon of shopping. Dirty hands. I wore her gloves, … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged challenges, discomfort with disabled people, perspective, walking in others shoes, wheelchair use | 1 Comment

Plea for a Friend — Kerry – 11/30/2015

Posted on November 30, 2015 by eportugal4

Plea for a Friend November 30, 2015 I spent today putting up Christmas decorations. I’ve lost some to our continued flooding. Water is insidious, and it breeds mold and mildew. Still, we put together a little tree, hung stockings, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged appeal for help, eviction, helping others, holidays, homelessness | 3 Comments

Uproar over a Cup — Kerry – 11/23/2015

Posted on November 23, 2015 by eportugal4

Uproar over a Cup November 23, 2015 Starbucks. The people purveying expensive, addictive, and delicious coffee find themselves the center of a free advertising campaign – I mean controversy. Why? Their cups. In previous years, Starbucks decorated their cardboard with … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged controvery, holidays, humanity, real problems, war on Christmas | 1 Comment

This Killing Must Stop — Kerry – 11/16/2015

Posted on November 16, 2015 by eportugal4

This Killing Must Stop November 16, 2015 This killing must stop. With each terrorist attack, I shake with anger, but anger’s not what the world needs now. Terrorists who harm and frighten my fellow man are bullies without the backstory, … Continue reading →

Posted in Kerry | Tagged killing, mourning, murder, prayer, terrorism, tyranny | 1 Comment