Author Archives: Kathy Simmons

One year gone but never forgotten our”Lovely Lily”

It is a Friday, late afternoon, and I have just gotten off the school bus. Walking up the front path of my Long Island home, I hear laughter from inside, amid the whirr of a blender. Following the sound of merriment to the kitchen, I spot my mother and my Aunt Lily sitting together atContinue reading “One year gone but never forgotten our”Lovely Lily””

In the Company of Women

I am one of four daughters, attended all girl, Catholic schools, have no idea how to change a tire and never experienced the bright stadium lights of a night-time football game. My father did put up a basketball hoop once in our driveway, though its use was short-lived when the basketball sailed through the glassContinue reading “In the Company of Women”

The Crockpot

I should have gone with the pot roast.  A traditional, home spun, simple recipe. A crowd pleaser.  But rather, I chose what I imagined a more elegant entrée for the upcoming dinner I would be preparing for my husband’s brother and new girlfriend.  “Slow Simmer Halibut,” was the name the recipe book had dubbed it.Continue reading “The Crockpot”

Songs my Father Sang

One of my most treasured memories of my father was when he would sing to us. His serenades were not a constant, but occurred spontaneously, generally while he was driving. The destinations of those day trips I cannot recall. What I do remember is the feelings his singing evoked; safety, comfort, simple happiness, like steppingContinue reading “Songs my Father Sang”

Love Letter to Ireland – the Gift of My Mother

Happy St.Patrick’s Day☘️ Re-sharing. Dear Ireland, It is not the distinct and lonesome scent of burning turf from distant cottages.  Nor your fields of brilliant green.  It is not the timeless waterfalls that cascade in hidden woodland. Nor your winding rivers whose beauty inspire poets. It is not your majestic cliffs that stand like loyalContinue reading “Love Letter to Ireland – the Gift of My Mother”

Screwdriver Parties

Pulling into my driveway late one afternoon, my eyes fell upon a dark sedan sitting idly.  Unable to recognize a face through the tinted windows and noting a New Jersey plate, a state from which I knew no one, a slight feeling of unease ensued. And then as if in slow motion, a window wentContinue reading “Screwdriver Parties”

A farewell to springboard diving

“We had joy, we had fun we had seasons in the sun but the wine and the song like the seasons have all gone…” Terry Jacks, Seasons in the Sun “Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to” Dear Liam, I always believe you were meant to be a diver. IContinue reading “A farewell to springboard diving”

Ode to a Pheasant

I cannot say for certain when I first made his acquaintance or tell you the exact day he stole my heart.  We had just moved to a small town in Connecticut from New York City following the 9/11 tragedy.  Our new home’s family room sported an enormous glass window which overlooked the back yard, aContinue reading “Ode to a Pheasant”

The Lonely Sweater

Glancing in the window of a recently closed children’s consignment shop, I spotted this tiny orange sweater, hanging forlornly in the now abandoned store front.  This sad sight left me to ponder why this one vibrant item adorned in grinning teddy bears, remained. Perhaps a testament to a dream that was not to be orContinue reading “The Lonely Sweater”