Category Archives: Childhood

Birth Order. The Follow Up.

Posted on August 20, 2016 by vanbytheriver

According to the comment thread from a year ago, most bloggers/writers are first-born children. It was not even close. My very unscientific results: First Born – 33.   Middle Child – 4.  Last Born –  4  Clone – 1. ******************************************************************** … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Childhood, Education, Entertainment, Family, Humor, News | Tagged , , , , | 152 Comments

Gym

Posted on August 7, 2016 by vanbytheriver

What’s a Pommel Horse ? I was about to see for myself, up close and personal, in 9th grade gym class. Coming out of Catholic school, where physical education meant “Red Rover” in the paved schoolyard, I was in for … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Education, Entertainment, Exercise, News, Sports | Tagged , , , | 70 Comments

Produce

Posted on August 1, 2016 by vanbytheriver

As we enter into a favorite time of year, with fresh sweet corn and ample tomatoes, I will share a short one from the past. My father taught me how to pick the best ear of corn. He told me … Continue reading →

Posted in Beauty, Childhood, Family, Food, Gardening, Inspiration, Nature | Tagged , , , | 84 Comments

One of the Boys

Posted on July 22, 2016 by vanbytheriver

I was over 30 yr. old when I actively pursued friendship with women. For my entire life, I was surrounded by the other gender. There were sisters, but they were never really friends. The “hood” where I grew up, was almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Education, Family, Work and Career | Tagged , , , | 108 Comments

Coppertone

Posted on July 3, 2016 by vanbytheriver

This is the image. It was everywhere in the 1960’s, in the time before sunscreen. The Coppertone baby. I grew up in a family that tanned easily. Except for me. I freckled, burned and peeled. Every year of my childhood. … Continue reading →

Posted in Beauty, Childhood, Family, Health Issues | Tagged , , , , | 84 Comments

Stealing Elegance

Posted on June 27, 2016 by vanbytheriver

On my first trip to New York City, I stole a spoon from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It was not only the first time for me to the biggest of cities, it was the first and only time I committed … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Education, Entertainment, Inspiration, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 79 Comments

The Kirby

Posted on June 23, 2016 by vanbytheriver

I have a love/hate relationship with a household appliance. I blame it on a 1960’s salesman who might have caused the demise of my parents’ marriage. The Kirby vacuum cleaner has been produced since 1934, and even today, can only … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Family, Home, Memories, Relationships | Tagged , , , , , | 89 Comments

Fruits of Labor

Posted on June 8, 2016 by vanbytheriver

I woke up to 57 degrees, opened the windows, turned on the oven. Now the house smells of blueberries and butter. It reminded me of a favorite post, with a much-loved recipe at the end. ** There is a huge advantage … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Family, Food | Tagged , , , , , | 88 Comments

Falling off the Roof

Posted on June 7, 2016 by vanbytheriver

A few months after our father died, my brother fell off the roof, both literally and figuratively. He was the treasured first born son, arriving after 3 attempts resulted in daughters. At the advice of physicians, my mother got pregnant … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Family, Relationships, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

Equestrian

Posted on May 21, 2016 by vanbytheriver

There is a history with horses in the family. My father grew up on a farm, was an avid racing fan all his life. My mother took English riding lessons as a teenager. So I was not surprised to find … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Current Events, Humor, Nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 55 Comments