BethSports

Tween time

I am stuck in that moment between getting home late and the time when you feel like going to bed. We decided to go to a Devil Rays away game this evening, and we’re just getting back. They were at Tropicana Field, where they occasionally play home games, so we didn’t have to travel too far. Tonight’s benefactor of the ice cold Rays’ bats were the Indians from Cleveland; and…
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Beth

Beth versus the psychiatrist

“Can I call you Miss Rachael?” “No, but you can call me Dr. Rachael if you want.” “Wait, are you a real doctor?” “Yes Beth, I’m a real doctor.” “Did you go to college?” “Yes Beth, I went to college.” “Did you go to college AND medical school?” “Yes Beth, I went to medical school.” “O.K., you…
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Beth

The dust settles on another school year

Let me say that most of the folks we’ve dealt with at my daughter’s school have been wonderful. They’ve been kind, patient, understanding, and caring. All the same, next year my daughter will be going to a different school. Why is she going to a different school? It’s a long story, one I don’t have the energy or inclination to tell right now… but here’s…
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Beth

Not so shallow

Beth and I were leaving Tae Kwon Do and I heard the sound of sudden submersion behind me. I looked back and saw Beth up to her shins in water. (Defensively) “Dad, I stepped in a puddle by accident!” (Angrily) “Beth, that’s the only puddle in the parking lot and you had to walk about ten feet out of your way to get to it. The only thing accidental about it is you…
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Beth

Stitches

Last week we had a little problem getting Beth ready in the morning. Gaping, bleeding wounds will do that to you. She was feeling playful and decided to hide under her bed after we asked her to get dressed. Unfortunately, she caught her leg on something sharp and we wound up in the ER rather than the rec center (for summer camp). “Dad, were you angry with me when I cut my…
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Beth

It was a day like any other day, until I decided it wasn’t

I was at work and struck by the hour: noon already? On a whim I begged off early, promising to make up the time later (a line borrowed from the procrastinator’s creed). This whim eventually brought me to my daughter’s school, just as her and her like were being released for the day. She wasn’t expecting me, and didn’t notice when I fell into step behind her, stride for…
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BethBicycling

The first ride

It started innocently. “Beth, I’m not sure you should ride your bike until I can tighten those training wheels, unless of course you want me to take them off?” “Alright dad, take them off.” Fifteen minutes later we were together on the sidewalk; father, daughter, and bicycle. The father was standing behind it all, grasping the seat. The daughter was astride the bike…
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Beth

Grammar school politics

In the south… I have it on good authority that if John Kerry is elected president, kids will have to go to school on Saturdays and Sundays, and they will only have brussel sprouts and cabbage for lunch in the cafeteria. George Bush, on the other hand, has the courage to take on the liberal school boards. He has the backbone to take on the vegan lobby. He has the strength of character to stay…
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Beth

This is the first day of the rest of second grade

Beth is a tough nut to crack, but she’s even harder to read. The lead into the new school year had all the emotion of a new pair of socks. (What do I have against socks? Why am I picking on socks in general? As a child, I was permanently scarred by the cruel and unusual gift of socks on Christmas morning.) It was so unlike my experience. I remember the first day of elementary school with all…
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Beth

What do you fear?

Death? Taxes? The Yankees wining another World Series? A six year old child with an attention deficit, a pinch of hyperactivity, and a bow and arrow? Yes, Beth had a busy day on Wednesday. I was picking her up from camp and her group leader was explaining all of the activities they participated in that day. They started with a hike through a local park, followed by some canoeing, another hike…
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