Catherine Sevenau's Blog: Writings~Rambles~Rhymes, page 29

Casper and Kale

Casper ~ We’re on the couch watching Casper cartoons on my iPad, and Temple, who’s four, says, “Have you noticed that I haven’t pulled on your old skin today?” Little Miss Blue Eyes has this thing about tweaking the flesh on the back of my hand and watching it remain in a wrinkled peak. I […]

Stage Right

The Hedonist and the Refugee ~ Satchel was all fun, fun, fun. “Can we go to the movies and to the toy store and bake cookies and play dominoes and can you read me a book and can we draw dragons together and then can we go to the park, can we huh? huh? I […]

Conversations With the Boy

Buh-Bye ~ Satchel doesn’t call him Grandpa, he calls him Bob. My ex has our grandson over for a swim and we are tag-teaming having him for the week-end. Bob lives a few blocks away on Garland and the two of them are playing cowboys and Indians—or maybe it was cops and robbers—while waiting for me […]

Inquiring Minds

First sleepover (age 3) ~ “Oma, do you wear jammies? I can’t sleep with you if you don’t. I can only sleep nekkie with Poppy.” “No problem. For you, I’ll wear jammies. And by-the-by, I wouldn’t go around blabbing about you and your father’s sleeping arrangements.” As we get tucked into bed, I give him […]

Angels and Bees

An Ancient Being ~ It was the day after his birth that I held my grandson for the first time. I remember having this tiny creature cradled in my arm, peering into his dark eyes, thinking he looked nothing like a baby, but more like a wise and ancient being. A week later I brought my […]

Important Instructions

Instructions for Satchel ~ Email correspondence regarding my grandson at age 4; Brooke is my daughter-in-law, his mother: (from me) Hi Brooke, I’m leaving today for Carmel and then Southern California and returning this weekend, so I won’t be here to keep my usual date with Satchel on Thursday. Here’s the schedule for whoever covers: […]

For the Mothers

ON THIS MOTHER’S DAY To the women (and men) who’ve mothered me over the years. To those I’ve mothered, and to those who’ve shared in mothering them with me. To those caring for their elder or infirm mothers, swapping roles. To those who’ve lost their mother. To those whose mother has lived a long life […]

What’s in a Name?

First grandchild ~ It was a difficult delivery, going from natural childbirth to emergency Cesarean over the course of a two-day labor, and everyone was tremendously relieved when both mother and infant safely made it through the ordeal. Matt calls from the hospital the day after the baby is born. “Mom, Brooke and the baby […]

Murderers and Fortune Cookies

A Day in the City ~ Thinking it would be fun, Satchel and I took a day trip to San Francisco’s Chinatown, Ghirardelli Square, and Pier 39, and made it there and back, though barely. Going, we missed the Larkspur Ferry by ten minutes, so we had to wait for the next one. Finally boarding, […]

Small Fry Reveries

Television ~ “Oma, you don’t have a television,” Satchel says to me in surprise. “You’ve known me for four years, and you’ve just noticed?” “Why don’t you like TV?” “I didn’t say I didn’t like TV, I just don’t have one.” “Did you ever?” “Of course. I had one when your dad and Jon were […]