Thankful

Thankful
It is Sunday of the Thanksgiving holiday. The tree is up;  the outside decorations are almost complete. (More later on my porch tableau. I even made Steve laugh with my dog house based decor plan) The baby wreaths were hung on the upstairs windows before the blizzard started. I said I would go onto the... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
November 26, 2018 at 10:53 am • 

Part 2: The Boys Know Mom has Breast Cancer: We are Dahl Strong

Part 2: The Boys Know Mom has Breast Cancer: We are Dahl Strong
So, where was I? (and apologies for the hiccup in the story. I just didn’t feel comfortable claiming that much reading time.) On we go… After I hit SEND I waited for the boys to make their rally calls to cheer me. Another detour:  a brief thumbnail of My Three Sons. Firstborn, Pat, has always... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
September 25, 2018 at 11:58 am • 

My Boys Need to Know Mom is Sick: Part 1.

My Boys Need to Know Mom is Sick: Part 1.
I have had a graced life, and rarely had to share bad news with my sons. The bulletin that I had breast cancer was a message that Steve and I wanted to manage. Our first instinct was to have Steve call a family breakfast summit to lay out the treatment and the positive prognosis. A... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
September 19, 2018 at 2:17 pm • 
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The Day Of.

The Day Of.
From a firm Breast Cancer diagnosis to surgery Team Dahl had one week to make a battle plan, clear my palpitating heart for surgery via a cardiologist, and be briefed by my surgeon. We got it done. Together. With a dose of adrenalized panic thrown in for good measure. I got the dog groomed, my... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
September 10, 2018 at 6:10 am • 

Healing Season

Healing Season
Last Sunday I pulled on my bathing suit and headed outside to the pool. This is an anomaly. I rarely inflict the Ruins upon an unsuspecting world. I typically enter September rueing the evaporation of Summer, and the approach of shorter, cooler days. I miss the rabble of little kids. I wish I had splashed... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
August 31, 2018 at 5:52 pm • 

Sweet and Tart

Sweet and Tart
Summer ends too soon.  One minute we are watching fireworks, and before we know it, back to school supplies evict the picnic goods.  Hardy mums start appearing in front of grocery and home improvement stores. Summer clothes are sent to the Reduced rack, and they look wilted and tired. Sweater weather apparently looms. For the... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
August 22, 2018 at 8:59 pm • 
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Hello. Have You Missed Me?

I’ve missed you. I had a chance to meet a legion of wonderful people at Steve’s garage sale, and SO many people said that they missed my blog that I am going to attempt to redirect my manic Facebook energy to a more constructive and thoughtful platform.  I can make no promises, because my attention... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
August 20, 2018 at 10:42 am • 

Team Dahl

Team Dahl
Baseball is connective tissue in the Dahl family story, and it is sewn with Black and White Sox thread.  Perhaps it was born in Steve’s conscious decision to cheer for an AL team  to keep the Dodgers and Vin Scully safe in his heart.  Sox allegiance was galvanized on a hot summer night when he... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
June 26, 2017 at 8:01 am • 

Starting Fresh

Starting Fresh
I have never been the type to make resolutions. Frankly (and sadly) I lack the self discipline to follow through. For that reason, I am a chubby woman with a disorganized house.  I am a barely passable cook, and a terrible baker. I have spurts of domestic efficiency, followed by ambivalent indolence. The bar is... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
December 31, 2016 at 10:46 am • 
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Mabel the Unstable

Mabel the Unstable
  Every dog-loving family has one Dog for the Ages.  Mabel was not that dog. But she grew on us, and with us. She became a Dahl when Matthew was a quasi-rebellious junior in high school, and we were on the brink of becoming empty nesters. We knew we needed a lifeline. Chamois, our Golden,... Read more »
By Janet Dahl,
November 28, 2016 at 6:35 am •