When our children are born, we envision a life of molding and shaping these small, wonderful creatures into future Nobel Peace Prize winners, champion athletes, and brilliant philosophers. We will bestow upon them all our accumulated life experience and insights and they will be eager receptacles of our knowledge. Yeah, and then day two arrives. The thing is, no one ever tells you that your child will enter this world with a fully formed personality. It might take a while for you as the … [Read more...]
The View from the Sidelines Is A Changin
The running back weaves across the field with the football pinned securely in his right side. He dodges past a not-quite-fast-enough outside linebacker and streaks down the edge of the sideline toward the end zone. 10… 5… the ref throws his arms straight up toward the sky as the runner crosses the goal line. TOUCHDOWN! What’s particularly remarkable and wonderful about this upcoming fall weekend tradition? That ref could be a woman. The football field has conventionally not been a … [Read more...]
What’s a Little Phobia Amongst Friends?
Being that August 13th is International Lefthanders Day, I found myself doing a little online research about my lefty tribe. There are some very interesting facts floating around in cyberspace. Here’s a fun little summary: By the way and in case you were wondering, none of the current U.S. presidential candidates is a Southpaw. Bummer. And just for the record, I can roll my tongue just fine, thank you very much. What’s interesting, yet a bit disturbing, is the fear of, and distain for, … [Read more...]
When a Bucket Is Your Throne
The month of July brings many happy occasions: Independence Day (aka July 4th, Kimba waves her flag joyously), National Ice Cream Month (cuz ya gotta have a whole month for this!), Pecan Pie Day (July 12th), National Nude Day (July 14th) and a personal favorite, Tell An Old Joke Day (July 27th). Offering blue skies and warm weather, July may be the happiest of months. This Florida gal in particular appreciates the summer slow-down and sunny bliss of this seventh month of the year. July also … [Read more...]
I’d Spray Paint the Cat If She’d Let Me
Just about every summer my GeeGee would paint the cement floor of her back patio. It was always this glossy battleship grey. We kids loved it because when it was wet it was damn near a slip-n-slide – are those things even around anymore? There’s also a great family story about my Grumps once painting a car – with a brush and leftover house paint. Therefore, when I claim that I come from a long line of DIY painters, I’ve got legit street creds. Back in college, furniture rehab was a necessity. … [Read more...]
Virginia Author Celebrates National Bathroom Reading Month
Did you know that June is National Bathroom Reading Month? Join author Kimberly "Kimba" Dalferes as she celebrates with the release of Crazy Southern Irish Gal Two-Book Bundle. Read more here: https://www.prlog.org/12563177-virginia-author-celebrates-national-bathroom-reading-month.html … [Read more...]
Can You Judge a Gal By Her Pyrex?
Imagine if you will, a standing freezer, an appliance you’ve coveted for years but just couldn’t afford. Now envision your glee when a used, yet still well-functioning, keeper of all things frozen comes available at a neighbor’s garage sale. Score! Majorly awesome find for just $30. The only catch is that the contents are being donated to the local church for a Sunday school project and you will need to wait until the volunteer parishioners come to clean out said freezer in the next week. Seems … [Read more...]
Always Take the Cannoli
Can you believe Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is thirty years old this year? Yepper, that teenage oracle of wisdom and guidance has reached the milestone of no longer being twenty-something. To celebrate, because how can you not celebrate Ferris, this weekend in Chicago folks will gather at Ferris Fest. If you’re in the area, put on your Ray-Bans, hop into your Ferrari, and go check out the fun and report back to us. Looking out from the perch here in The Middle-Aged Cheap Seats, I’ve come to … [Read more...]
The Small Moments of Motherhood
(Updated from post of May 2014) Awhile back, on a day when I was walking my dog Taz (I sure do miss that wonderful fella), I passed a mom and son waiting for the school bus. As we slowly trotted past, I overheard the boy, I’m guessing about nine years old, regaling all the fascinating intricacies of the silk worm. Mom listened intently as he displayed his prowess in all things silk-worm-esque. As he finished she smiled and said “I think you’ll do fine on your test today.” His little face … [Read more...]
Can I Ask You a Question?
I love to be involved in interviews. I have friends who hate to be subjected to the “dreaded” author interview. Not me: no question is too weird, too off topic or bizarre. It’s most likely because I’m Irish: we have an opinion about everything, will discuss anything, and we never meet a stranger who we aren’t soon chatting up about all things political, religious, or pop culture-esque. It’s in our DNA – it’s just science. Over the years, I’ve had interview questions that have stuck with me. I … [Read more...]