Quick Gift
December 2020 A week before Christmas and I’m hauling dirt. Or shoveling it, actually—all 600 pounds of it, rain-heavy even though it was tarped in…
How the Virus Couldn’t Steal Christmas
Every Burk at the Motel liked Christmas a LOT, But the Virus, still seething and stealing, did not. It had started the year taking back…
Mountain Biking in Siberia
YURT: [yərt] NOUN, a circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible framework, used by nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, and Turkey. I don’t know…
Virtual Learning
If you told me fourteen years ago I’d be doing math and social studies at the dining table and fixing meals in the middle of…
Zoom School
Good morning boys and boys — Welcome to Zoom School. Come on in, shoes off at the door, this is slobbering beast is our mascot,…
Hanging On
The day after dropping off college girl. It’s not that different. Seeing the little room at the end of the hall. It’s still tidy, and…
A Balanced Meal
I’m not sure the lady at the grocery store knew what to make. But hey, she asked. “Well… not so great, actually,” I respond. “I…
Go Bag
On the day she drives out to return her prom dress and shop for college stuff with her roommate, Sophie receives another blow. For real.…
Ground
The Hike, Part II Not till we are down the mountain does Sophie tell me she wasn’t sure she could do it. Tell that to…
Glacial Erratics
Even though Mamie says its illegal, she makes it sound like an invitation. Out one side of her mouth she’s making my childhood sound like…
The Call of the Void
To those who are enthralled by mountains their wander is beyond all despite. To those are not their allure is a madness.” The Call of the…
Homeward Bound
Last week I drove five teens to a lake house in Massachusetts to visit their grandmother. Two of mine and their three cousins. It is…
On Eagles’ Wings
I’ve never been so glad to lose a child. If only they could give you this feeling on graduation day or move-in day, a feeling…
The Freedom Machine
Every morning around seven, I hear the downstairs door crash open and Will comes bounding into the kitchen. Through the left-open door the birds that…
My Grandma gave me a Radar Gun
William loves to drive. He learned to ride a bike at four–right across our front yard, careening past trees. I remember him grinning and clinging…
The Little Family That Could
One of our favorite children’s books from years ago is a Yiddish folktale about perspective. And humble contentment. And a little about gratitude. Since these…
Going to Ellis Island
The back seat of my car is actually pretty comfortable. I have my shoes off, my glasses off, even my mask, and I have located…
Good Humor
In the 25 years we’ve lived here, in this house and neighborhood there has never been an ice cream truck come through. The houses are…
Carry On
Ellie came home two months ago with a suitcase and a smile. She had walked out of class on a Friday afternoon at the start…
Landing the Helicopter
I’m taking it as a good sign that when he rotated the tent today—oh yes, pulled up all the stakes and cords and rotated it…
Three Chairs
I can think of a million reasons why setting up a six-man tent in the side yard late on a Sunday afternoon is a bad…
Non Prom
She doesn’t want it posted or shared. She doesn’t want it acknowledged, much less celebrated–and she doesn’t want to put on the dress. Instead, on…
Silver Lining Scavenger Hunt
Easter Sunday 2020 For the first time ever in the history of the Burk Motel, we hold an Easter egg hunt. You would think with…
Watch with Me
It comes up this time every year–the faithless, sleepy disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. With friends like these, who needs enemies, right? Run the…
Going Places
“But his love is from everlasting to everlasting…” Psalm 103:17 In my mind I am riding a train with a weekend bag on the seat…
Better than Christmas
APRIL FOOLS! I awoke to my cell phone alarm going off, with my phone fully encased in a 2-liter bottle of soda on the bedside…
Master of Crime
“Mom, April Fools is April Fools. I can’t help there’s a worldwide epidemic.” — William, on why he has to order, among other things,…
Coming to Terms
Never has the popular term “reaching out” made more sense to me. As a former English teacher and self-appointed grammarian, I notice such things as…
Learn at Home
Learn at Home If only the Corona Virus would move through town as quickly as a mood swing at the Burk house. We’re on voluntary…
Love Note
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com Sorrey is the sweetest word. I have often joked that Will could spell the word “shenanigans” since his fourth…
Think I may have one of those…
“I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned…
Souvenirs 