Happy Summer Solstice! The ride between Anchorage and Denali was uneventful. We did stop to ferret out Sarah Palin’s house (you betcha!) and were lucky enough to see the tippy top of Mount McKinley. Clouds later rolled in and covered the peak. In Denali, we are expecting 22 hours of sunlight. I’m going to try … Continue reading Alaska~Day 2 Anchorage to Denali
Family
Alaska Adventure~Day 1
Today, I was surrounded by miles and miles of land still unexplored, open and free. Natural forces of vast scale and subtlety shaped the land. Alaska feels very “real." Alaska is an unexpected place. A place where you truly experience AWESOME the moment your plane starts to descend over her mountains and glaciers. Alaska, the … Continue reading Alaska Adventure~Day 1
Wishing Joe was beside me at Coles 8th Grade Graduation.
If I had three wishes, one would be to have Joe beside me on June 12th when Cole graduates from 8th grade at the Chicago Waldorf School. When Cole was 18 months old, Joe and I decided to give our hearts to The Chicago Waldorf School community, and we never looked back. When Cole was … Continue reading Wishing Joe was beside me at Coles 8th Grade Graduation.
Part 1: First It Sucks
Some couples fall in love. They meet, look into each other’s eyes, date, break up, and then get married. Some couples meander into love. They start out as best friends and move down the togetherness path gradually. They take their time, break up, make up, and eventually end up saying, “I do.” With Joe and … Continue reading Part 1: First It Sucks
Joe Ruscitti Loved Sports
On June 2, 2010, the one year anniversary of Joe’s death, we will have a picnic at Albion Beach. We won’t have a ceremony, but we will say the Our Father. Joe loved this prayer. I had every intention of saying it at the cremation viewing, but I forgot the words when I saw the … Continue reading Joe Ruscitti Loved Sports
Rocking Memories Forever
Cole’s graduation from 8th grade is in 25 days. The anniversary of Joe’s death is in 15 days. On our entertainment center is a large picture of Joe that we had blown up for his memorial, his cremation urn, a picture Cole drew, and some other meaningful Joe items. On occasion, I add and subtract … Continue reading Rocking Memories Forever
Cardinal Sunset by Cole
This past March, Cole was invited to paint a bird house for the art show, The Return of “Birds I Have Known.” He took on the project with gusto. Cole has been gifted with Joe’s artistic imagination and talent. In this respect, there is no doubt he is his father’s son. Cole has also been … Continue reading Cardinal Sunset by Cole
Cole’s Fresh Pear Tart
Cole's Fresh Pear Tart ingredients bought entirely with a Fox and Obel Groupon Tart is entirely made with Organic Ingredients, except when it isn’t. Tart pan is recycled. We have used it three times. Inspired: By Chicago Waldorf School Cooking Chemistry Class Baked By: Cole Ruscitti Sponsored by: Katybeth Ruscitti Dedicated to CWS 8th parents … Continue reading Cole’s Fresh Pear Tart
Hammering It Out with Joe and Cole
Lightly tapping a hammer was one way to completely command Joe’s attention. My way of hanging a picture: Determine where you want to hang it. Grab a hammer, a nail, or one of those picture doo hickies. Hang picture. If you make a mistake, fill the hole with a little toothpaste and try again. Or … Continue reading Hammering It Out with Joe and Cole
Parenting and Odd Jobs
It’s Sunday. Weekends are spent trekking out to play paintball at CPX, Chicago’s premier paintball facility, cheering Cole’s soccer team. and using Groupons to try a new lunch or dinner place. We might head over to the forrest preserve for some scientific exploration; our Sunday night dinner will include steak, baked potatoes and a Hallmark Hall … Continue reading Parenting and Odd Jobs