Put your hands together for RxSaver by RetailMeNot who #sponsored this post How to Find the Best Prescription Discounts, supporting Through Her Looking Glass. This post includes tracking links. For more information about tracking links and how to opt out, please visit All About Do Not Track prior to clicking any links found in this post. All opinions and content are my own.

If you know me at all, you know I love saving a peso. (Or five.) Recently I came across a fantastic way to save significant money every month on prescription drugs, putting me in charge of what I pay at the pharmacy counter. To Find the Best Prescription Discounts, just plug basic information into the search engine at rxsaver.com or on the app. It’s that easy! Convenient and free, now I use RxSaver.com monthly and save up to 80% off!

As many of you know, Jon and I and our older boys are caregivers for our little guy Hudson who has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism. It’s hard to put into words just what that entails on a day-to-day basis, but I’ll try.

I’m no stranger to disability. My oldest sister Elisabeth also has Down syndrome. We just celebrated her 52^nd birthday in May. I can’t remember a time when our lives weren’t affected by disability in some way.

Hudson and Liz playing ball at her birthday party a few years ago…

So Hudson’s nine years old, but developmentally he’s around three. He’s still in pull-ups day and night and is non-verbal. He has a speech device so he can pick what he wants for breakfast or which video he wants. But more significant communication is pretty limited. As you can imagine, this can be frustrating, but we all pull together as best we can.

Hudson blowing out the candles for the third time on his birthday. Note he has zero interest in sampling the cupcakes. It’s all about the singing and candles.

Thankfully Hudson is cute as a button and that greatly helps his cause. Most days the blessings far outweigh the challenges, but there are the occasional days when things get pretty crazy.

Hudson is considered a bolt risk, meaning that at any time, he might decide to run. This is pretty common in children with autism. And when he runs, he won’t look back or respond to his name. As you can imagine, that can be beyond scary in a parking lot or near the road. That’s why we hold his hand tightly and keep a handicapped placard at the ready to dangle from the car mirror. It’s especially helpful for getting him into doctor and therapy appointments safely.

So one cold, snowy afternoon last winter, I parked in the handicapped spot right outside his therapy building. We entered through the sliding glass doors and Hudson pushed the elevator button as usual. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned here that Hudson is not disabled when it comes to being naughty. As we waited for the elevator, he stared me down, then poked out his little tongue, threatening to LICK the elevator button. Of all the horrible things. I eyed him sternly and shook my head.

That’s when I heard the accusing voice: “You really shouldn’t park in a handicapped space if you’re not handicapped.”

Really? My jaw dropped as I looked back for that split second. A young mom hauling an infant seat, with an adorable little boy in tow was passing through the lobby behind us. I locked eyes with her. “I’m not handicapped,” I said quietly, “but my son is.” I nodded at the large sign on the wall: “AUTISM THERAPY, SECOND FLOOR”

My eyes were averted for that split second, so I’ll never know whether Hudson licked the elevator button or not that day. Because as I turned back, the elevator doors were meeting in the middle and Hudson was gone. I whirled around, raced for the stairwell and dashed up two at a time, hoping to find him on the second floor.

The good news is that Hudson’s autism makes him a creature of habit. He’d actually pushed the correct floor button and taken the elevator by himself to the second floor. When I found him, he was standing in the hallway by the elevator doors, the picture of innocence. Thank you God. My heart rate began to recede and I brought him to his classroom, then took a deep breath as I retrieved his missing backpack from the elevator. I thought about finding that mom and giving her a piece of mind. But then I thought better of it. The truth is, I need every single remaining gray cell. (!)

Every extinguished candle is cause for great celebration! On birthdays we blow out candles all day long, so tall candles are required!

Life can throw some unexpected punches and surprises. And whether you deal with disability or not, one can never know what a day will hold. Or an hour, for that matter. That’s why I’m SO grateful for anything that saves me time, frustration and money. RxSaver by RetailMeNot is a shortcut that does just that. 

How to Find the Best Prescription Discounts: RxSaver

Just a few weeks ago I was refilling my allergy medicine. I usually pay $43 monthly out of pocket for it. So I downloaded the app on my phone, then plugged in my zip code and the name of my prescription. RxSaver directed me to the pharmacy that I always use, but gave me a coupon that discounted my medicine to $10.01. Yes!!!!

At first I wondered if it could be a mistake. So I called in my prescription as usual, then showed the RxSaver coupon on my phone to the pharmacist. (You can also use the RxSaver site at home and print out a coupon.) Guess what? I saved $33 and you better believe I was ecstatic. (I can do a lot with an extra $33.)

So I really hope you’ll try rxsaver.com for yourself and start saving money too! You don’t need a membership or password or any personal information. (Passwords are the bane of my existence.)

Just enter the name of your prescription and zip code, then compare prices and choose the best price/location for you. You save money whether or not you have health insurance. I know you’ll love using this great money saving tip! (You’re welcome.)

Follow RxSaver by RetailMeNot on Facebook for more money saving tips!

The post Favorite Things #8 – How to Find the Best Prescription Discounts appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend and welcome to Favorite Things #4 , where I share what’s percolating in the remaining gray cells. Today just happens to be my firstborn’s birthday. So happy, happy birthday Jonathan! The big 2-0 is just that… BIG! Remembering that poignant moment so long ago when I first saw that precious baby face. Sniff.

It’s been a good weekend around here and hope it has been at your house too. The sick kids here are on the mend. Charlie’s been competing at the state Destination Imagination competition. The sky is azure. Birds are chirping. I can barely see the dirty little snow patches left in the side yard.

Truth: we had a momentary spring lapse yesterday when it SNOWED two inches. (Thankfully already melted.) But other than that hiccup, spring is definitely springing, even if it hasn’t fully sprung in NH yet.

Here’s what what Hudson and I do on Saturday mornings…

This wooly little lamb Marley thinks he’s a pup! Cute.

FYI, sharing a couple great new finds I recently stumbled across:Loving this GuruNanda Natural Mist diffusing mister. It diffuses essential oils straight up and plugs into the wall or a USB outlet. Right now the fresh scent of lemon grass essential oil is in my entryway. Clean, fresh and springy! All natural and no chemicals, the essential oil bottle screws right onto the mister itself. I’m trying lavendar and rosemary oils next. Genius idea.

And here’s a delicious aroma to lure you out of bed on a lazy Sunday morning: Sugar Dusted Beignet Coffee. Savoring this scrumptious new flavor by Community Coffee. Made with 100% select Arabica coffee beans, get it in 12-ounce bags or single-serve pods. Light and sweet, sipping at my kitchen table like I’m parked in a New Orleans street cafe a thousand miles away…

Book recommendation:  Born Survivors: Three Young Mothers and Their Extraordinary Story of Courage, Defiance, and Hope

Amazing read, and true.

“The Nazis murdered their husbands but concentration camp prisoners Priska, Rachel, and Anka would not let evil take their unborn children too—a remarkable true story celebrating three mothers who defied death to give their children life. On the seventieth anniversary of Mauthausen’s liberation from the Nazis by American soldiers, renowned biographer Wendy Holden recounts this extraordinary story of three children united by their mothers’ unbelievable—yet ultimately successful—fight for survival.”

This read is definitely worth your time. Five stars.

Sharing this in honor of my brave, beautiful mom and all the mothers of children with Down syndrome around the globe.

(Hint: grab tissues. I was a faucet.)

I mentioned in my cookie post earlier this week that we’re closing in on finishing the kitchen remodel project. So close! Waiting on just a few more cabinet doors to come in so I can take the snaps.

The project was fun and worth the grief. (I try to be honest here: there was grief involved.)

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough…”  – Melody Beattie

So what are you up to? Wishing you a beautiful weekend, savoring all the little things that make you smile.

XOXO,

Allie

The post Favorite Things #4 appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

This DIY Easter Mini Garden is so sweet and easy to plant.  A mini garden brings days of anticipation and wonder for kids 1-99 as the garden grass sprouts just in time for Easter. This is a great classroom project and brings cheer to a nursing home or sick room.

Easter’s not so far away. For me, Easter brings thoughts of new life and hope…green shoots poking through the ground after a seemingly interminable winter of snow and ice. The anticipation of spring and new growth, welcome after a long winter. The empty tomb in the garden symbolizes hope.

Build it together with your kids, grandchildren or other special kids in your life. Charlie and I planted a DIY Easter Mini Garden several years ago. First we went on a meandering nature walk around the pond, hunting for just the right rock, stones and twigs before planting the garden.

You’ll need about two weeks from planting the grass seed ’til it’s ready. Plant the seed about three weeks before Easter to enjoy it before and after Easter. When the grass is thick and lush, just a few snips with scissors or kitchen shears keeps it in nice shape for Easter.

Materials:

• large terra cotta pot saucer (12″ worked well) for base
• small terra cotta pot (3 1/2″ worked well) for tomb
• Soil
• Small, flat stones
• Grass seed (rye works well)
• Rock (the size of the mouth of the “tomb”)
• Twigs and raffia to make crosses

Directions:

• Place the small terra cotta pot on its’ side in the the saucer.
• Fill the big terra cotta saucer with soil to the lip, anchoring the small pot (the empty tomb.)
• Mound dirt over the small terra cotta pot, leaving the mouth open. (Will need wet dirt to make it “stick”)
• Place the stones into the soil in front of the tomb.
• Mist the soil well, so it’s ready to receive grass seed, then press grass seed thickly all over the soil.
• Place the rock in front of the tomb.
• Use raffia or string to tie together twigs to make rustic crosses, add them to the garden.
• Mist the grass seed several times daily and watch for your garden to sprout!
• Water daily.

Hide a few speckled eggs in the grass Easter morning!

Related post: DIY Spring Monogram Wreath

The post DIY Easter Mini Garden appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

Happy weekend and a few of my faves!

I KNIT THIS CRAZY SCARF! And enjoyed every minute. (And love wearing it too.)  Story here. (Always a story.) If you want directions, let me know. Very simple.

And just when we’d almost lost faith in humanity,  THIS!  (Grab your tissue box.)

This daddy serenading his baby girl – priceless.

Had tons of fun making these w/Charlie for Valentine’s Day. (And loved hearing from some of you who made them too!)  Hummed Three Blind Mice all day…

Reading: Your Creative Career: Turn Your Passion into a Fulfilling and Financially Rewarding Lifestyle by Anna Sabino.

Paddington 2 – fun for the kids and grands. In theaters now.

My cousin sent out this funny excerpt on the craziness of parenting to my extended family this past week. Cracks me up.

It was a different time. And can you identify?!?! (Me too.) As a 70’s kid, I remember our family ditching chocolate for carob for a short time. Gulp. And sneaking my mom’s Ayds caramel appetite suppressants (hidden in the drawer behind the kitchen chimney) for a sweet treat. Sigh. And sampling a chicken bouillon cube. Once was enough. And yuck. (It was the shiny gold paper that reeled me in.)

Retirement Plan cocktail Jon and I enjoyed pre-Valentine’s Day at this fun eatery in downtown Manchvegas last week. (Nope, no retirement plans anytime soon.)

Here’s a light fixture I just found for our kitchen reno. This is getting fun.

And just one more week ’til our kitchen remodel officially begins. Here. We. Go. I’ll keep you posted. (Literally!)

“Be kind,  for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  — Plato

My heart, along with the rest of the country, is heavy after the senseless loss of so many precious lives in Parkland on Wednesday. Hug your loved ones extra tight today.

XOXO,

Allie

The post Favorite Things #2 appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

Nothing quite like a Frosty New England Morning. I remember as a child, wandering the Rhode Island woods behind our home the morning after a freshly fallen snow. Eerily silent, save the sound of the snow crunch underfoot.

All is fresh and clean and new. Each tiny branch dressed as a bride in white.

These photos were taken in my back yard a few weeks ago as the sun rose, sending dappled rays through snow covered branches. It was breathtaking.

I thought you might enjoy these winter wonderland pictures if you love a fresh snowfall too. Especially if you grew up with snow, but live in a warmer climate now. (My extended California family, who appreciate a good VT snow, come to mind.)

I hoped to catch a bright bird at the feeder to share with you. There were blue jays, cardinals and a male house finch with a vibrant scarlet head. But they were skittish, uncooperative and refused to pose for me. Kudos to this sweet junco who was more obliging.

As a child, I stood statuesque for long minutes, under the gnarly old plum tree with the hanging feeder and birdhouse. My mittened hand outstretched, overflowing with seed. And the birds, they came! If you feed them, they will come. It was fascinating – the tiny claws perching. That little darting beak. And all too soon, gone.

Can you find the flag?  (As in, where’s Waldo…)

In my mind, snow is the perfect excuse for cozying up in a comfy chair by the fire. A good book in one hand, a steaming mug of chai in the other.

Snow brings to mind Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. Frost was born in San Francisco but spent most of his life in Massachusetts and here in New Hampshire. I was fascinated reading about his difficult life story here. Amazed at the literary beauty he produced in spite of it. (Because of it?)

 

XOXO,

Allie

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I am participating in Influence Central’s Ambassador program on behalf of Claritin®. This program is paid for by the Makers of Claritin® and I have received compensation for my participation. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Smart Allergy Mom ^TM Toolkit

Kids say (and do!) the darndest things. As a proud mama of four boys, you can imagine I have lots of funny stories through the years. The one that comes to mind today happened on a spring morning when I was sitting on the living room floor folding laundry with my then two-year-old Charlie. Charlie was a busy little guy, to say the least.

And even though he had a pile of his own fun toys, he kept grabbing at my neatly folded laundry piles. So I was thrilled when a tiny little ant arrived on the scene and captured his attention.

For a few moments, he stayed busy tracking the ant. Then suddenly there was a quick darting motion. And in an instant, the ant was gone. In Charlie’s mouth! While he was perfectly happy with his mid-morning snack, I let out a little scream, and he followed suit. Ha ha. Thankfully he never had any bad dreams or adverse effects from that extra protein serving.

But through the years he’s had other more serious things to deal with, like indoor and outdoor allergies. It’s tough being a kid and wanting to participate in all the fun kid activities when your allergies get in the way. At various times his symptoms have included itchy throat, runny nose, and itchy eyes.

So last fall I finally took him in to his pediatrician to talk about these perpetual symptoms, and Charlie was diagnosed with multiple indoor and outdoor allergies. He’s allergic to various molds, both kinds of dust mites and Bermuda grass. Who knew? Now he takes Children’s Claritin® when his allergy symptoms act up it’s made such a dramatic difference in his life.

His allergies are under control and he’s able to play and participate in the sports and activities he loves. Children’s Claritin® is the only brand that provides 24 hour, non-drowsy allergy relief products among oral OTC Children’s brands  It provides long lasting relief of runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and itchy nose or throat.

I’ve got a great resource for you today that’s been a help to me, the Smart Allergy Mom Toolkit by the makers of Children’s Claritin®.

If you think your child might have allergies, this Smart Allergy Mom Toolkit is a great online resource with ideas and tools to help manage allergies. With this resource you can:

• Track the pollen count in your area
• Read tips to help decipher the difference between cold and allergy symptoms
• Get great ideas for questions to ask your pediatrician
• Learn ways to help minimize outdoor seasonal allergies and indoor year round allergies

Children’s Claritin® is the #1 Pediatrician Recommended Non-Drowsy Oral Allergy Brand for kids ages 2+ and is available in chewables (grape and bubble gum) and in grape syrup. Children six and older can take Claritin® RediTabs, convenient dissolvable tablets that melt in your mouth.

Follow Claritin® on Facebook here!

*Among Oral OTC Children’s Brands

The post The Smart Allergy Mom Toolkit appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

I sure do love saving a buck. How about you? I’m always on the look out for different ways to save money, whether it’s using coupons and Groupons or turning off the water while brushing teeth and washing dishes.

I tell my boys if we can save money on necessities like food, electricity and water, then we’ll have more cash to spend on the fun stuff like ice cream, mini-golf, an afternoon at the movies or even a vacation. (That gets their attention for sure!)

So there’s nothing that irritates me more than walking by an empty room in my house and seeing a light or TV on. Except for seeing more than one light on. That’s even worse. To me, it’s like hearing nickels, dimes and quarters clanking down the drain and looking the other way.

So you can imagine how happy I was to recently discover there are more ways to save money on our electric bill than just flicking off lights. Here in the ‘Live Free or Die’ state of New Hampshire, due to deregulation, we can now choose which energy company we prefer. Freedom! (Patrick Henry would be thrilled.) Me too.

And furthermore, what would you say if I told you you could save up to 34% with Direct Energy over the public utility company Eversource? It’s true. And I can think of a million and one other ways to spend the extra pesos.

Direct Energy is an energy supplier in NH that offers a fixed-rate electricity plan that’s 34% below the current prices of Eversource. Even if you don’t live in NH, you might still be able to save big time, because Direct Energy is also one of the largest energy suppliers in North America with nearly 5 million customers. Chances are you live in a territory where you can save with Direct Energy too. Just visit DirectEnergy.com to find out more.

There are many benefits to being a Direct Energy consumer besides just the savings. Direct Energy provides online usage insights to help analyze the energy usage in your home and make informed decisions to help you use less energy. (And save money!)

Have you heard of Nest Learning Thermostat? I hadn’t. But it’s the coolest thermostat that learns your household schedule and automatically programs itself with features like auto-schedule, auto-away, energy history and more. Direct Energy offers these Nest Learning Thermostats to residential customers for no additional charge. It’s a win win.

And Nest thermostats are proven to save customers an additional 10-12% on heating bills and as much as 15% on cooling bills. And that’s above and beyond the initial 34%. So wow, that’s a lotta green.

Direct Energy is the only energy supplier that partners with Plenti, a rewards program that lets you earn points at one place and use them at another, with a single card that keeps track of the rewards. You can earn 1,000 Plenti points just by signing up with Direct Energy and you can learn more about that here! Score.

I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that Direct Energy partners with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and has committed $5 million dollars to Texas Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Houston. That’s the largest corporate contribution ever given for a specific campaign initiative at Texas Children’s Hospital. You can learn more about Direct Energy’s charity efforts here.

Be sure to visit Direct Energy and consider switching like five million others in North America have already. Direct Energy offers significant savings, Plenti rewards, helpful customer service and energy expertise. You’ll be saving lots ‘o green in the coming year with Direct Energy, and don’t forget who told you all about it first. (ME!)

#DirectEnergyNewHampshire

New Hampshire Disclaimer:

*Savings refers to the current difference (of up to 34%) 12-month fixed price offer of 7.19¢/kWh and Eversource New Hampshire’s current Fixed Rate for Basic Service of 10.950¢/kWh, and does not include any other component of your electricity bill such as delivery or taxes. Eversource New Hampshire’s fixed rate is effective until December 31, 2016 and may change at that time. There may be no savings following that date. Direct Energy’s rate includes energy charges only and excludes delivery/transmission charges, taxes, and all other utility-related charges.

You can follow Direct Energy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Direct Energy. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post How I Save Money on Electricity appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyWayToVeg #CollectiveBias

Chock-full of chickpeas, spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant, diced tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, this MorningStar Farms® Italian Sausage Bake Veggie Bowl makes a fast and easy lunch or dinner for your healthier lifestyle! Veggie Bowls are a wonderful meal solution for the busy holidays. Or anytime!

If your upcoming week is anything like mine, you’ve got a to-do list a mile long. With the upcoming holidays in sight, things are getting a little crazy with a capital C around here.

And if you’ve got kids at home or remember back to the days when you did, it doesn’t even need to be the holidays for things to get a little wild. (Capital W that too.)

Moms and dad of littles need alone time to recharge after long days and weeks. It’s great to relax together over an easy no-prep and nutritious meal like this delicious Veggie Bowl with a glass of vino at the end of the day. Followed by a romantic movie. I would know! I call it “recharge” and “recover.” And for good reason.

We have four boys, and I won’t forget the morning I returned from having breakfast with some girlfriends years ago. We had just two boys at the time. So I get home and my husband Jon has a funny look on his face. He reported that he’d been giving the six month old a bath as the just-turned three year old watched a cartoon in the living room.

While rinsing the baby’s hair, Jon hears the sound of a motor downstairs. And since most little boys are fascinated with new machines, and I’d just gotten a Kitchen Aid, he guessed the three year old turned it on. Snatching a towel and a bewildered baby, he races down the stairs towards the kitchen to find the step ladder set up below the key rack by the front door. The door is wide open. The motor was not the Kitchen Aid.

That just-turned three year old had gotten a stepladder, snatched the key ring from the key hooks, found the right key to unlock the inside deadbolt on the front door. And the correct key to start the…. CAR.  Aaaaack!!! He was found behind the steering wheel, a triumphant smile on his cherubic face…

THIS is exactly why parents need to recharge and recover with quiet time, an easy meal and a drink. So they can BREATHE the next breath. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

I could regale you with more entertaining stories re: my own need to re-group and recharge through the years, and even quite recently. But my recharge needs can’t be as acute as my girlfriend with nine children. Yep, she has nine. Like The Sound of Music, just more kids! Gulp.

Not long ago she was coming over for afternoon coffee and running late. Texted to say she’d explain when she got here. So they were watching a friend’s dog for the week. And the dog chased their cat up into a second floor bedroom. In terror, the cat flies across the double bed and THROUGH the screen of an open window. Lands on the roof (yes, there was a roof!), the dog in hot pursuit.

My friend was late not because of her nine children, but because she was out on the roof rescuing a terrified cat and a cat crazed dog! Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. She could really use this Italian Sausage Bake and a quiet moment too. For sure.

Veggie Bowls are for regular people like us who are busy living life but want a great veggie cuisine option to add to the menu rotation. Delicious and packed with protein, Veggie Bowls are an easy and nutritious meal option. Add these delicious Veggie Bowls to your shopping list for an easy meal your whole family will enjoy. Learn more about MorningStar Farms® products here!

Connect with MorningStar Farms® on Facebook or follow them on Pinterest here !

Find MorningStar Farms on Twitter @MorningStrFarms and Instagram @morningstarfarms

You may also like: Garlic Chicken Thighs

The post Italian Sausage Bake Veggie Bowl appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

Hey friends, it’s been a super busy week around here. How’s it been for you? I’m so glad the weekend is finally here. Exhale.

Today I’m re-sharing the first post I ever published on this blog because A – most of you haven’t seen it before. And B – because you’ll laugh. I hope.

I actually planned to write a new piece for today, but there’s still a ton of baking to do for homecoming this weekend.

Bake or write. Bake or write. Baking won out. Cupcakes. And if they come out great, trust me, you’ll see them here!

So read on and enjoy this little blast from the past!

.

Everytime A Bell Rings

He had an odd, curious look on his face that hot, muggy day. The fan oscillated on high, the windows were open wide. We should’ve shut them hours earlier and turned on the air. Trying to stay cool during the “dog days” of August.

Everyone had shorts on at the dinner table, and I wore a sleeveless linen blouse, trying to beat the heat.

Salad, grilled steak tips and watermelon. That was the menu. And a mountain of icy cold watermelon triangles. We loaded our plates, and I shook the salad dressing.

His eyes weren’t necessarily on me, but intently focused on something nearby. And I recognized that same curious look, the smirk in his eye. And I returned to a day months earlier.

I’d picked him up after school as usual.

“How was second grade?”

“Fine.”

“So what’d you do at school today?”

“Nothing.”

“Surely you did something.”

“What we do at school every day. Learn,” he said, disinterestedly.

“So what did you play at recess?”

“Tag.”

“Was it fun?”

“Not really.”

(Sigh.) “The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

Well, I was under no grand illusion here. I’d run out of questions, and he was obviously out of answers. I settled in for the quiet car ride home.

Halfway home, I checked the rearview mirror and noticed an unusual exercise in progress. His right sleeve was rolled up high, his little arm flexed like a muscle man. His fist pumped furiously back and forth. Simultaneously, his left hand batted at his tricep. He watched intently, quiet glee apparent. It was odd.

“What are you doing honey?”

“Just playing a game.”

“What kind of game,” I persisted. “Does it have a name?”

He stayed focused, flexing and batting. “It’s called Bingo Wings, Mommy.”

Bingo Wings. I’d never heard of a game called Bingo Wings, but I’m not exactly the person to ask. I’m not really a game person. Plus I always lose. I doubted I’d be good at this one either. But I tried connecting anyway.

“So what are the rules? How do you play?”

“Well it’s easier to play if you’re really old. Like forty or a hundred.

First, you put your arm up like this…… and SQUEEEEZE. Make a big fist and turn your wrist back and forth…… just like this.” He demonstrated.

“And THEN…. you watch the hanging skin and fat wiggle and jiggle like jello. See?” He vainly attempted jiggling his taut skin.

“Where’d you learn that?” I asked flatly.

“From Tommy at recess.” (When I was in school we played hopscotch and jumped rope.)

“I don’t think that’s a very nice game,” I said. “And I won’t play.”

Fast forward to the dinner table. He bit a watermelon triangle and stared hard. He didn’t say a word. He didn’t need to. It was written all over his face. Because as I shook the dressing at the table that night, I detected the same curious, gleeful Bingo Wings look. And I just knew.

Well I’m not a hundred years old. (Not yet.) And I’m usually rotten at games. But apparently I’m first rate at Bingo Wings. It’s an effortless game you can play with your eyes closed. There are no game pieces to lose. The rules are “loose”. Play on your own or with a crowd.

It’s gratifying to finally be a winner at the ripe old age of forty-one.

“Look Daddy! Teacher says, Everytime A Bell Rings, an angel gets its wings.”.

It’s a Wonderful Life (Wings aside, it truly is.)

You may also enjoy: Nuts About Her

The post Everytime a bell rings… appeared first on Through Her Looking Glass.

As I type, we’re on a road trip. Heading home after dropping our son at college in the south. First time for everything. I’ll fill you in more on that later. The air’s been soupy, hot and muggy this week and I’ve found myself wishing for a soft spring rain. A soft summer rain would be fine too. Enjoy this piece I wrote several springs ago.

Today’s been beautiful in so many ways, and I’m not just talkin’ weather. You know what we say in New England: if you don’t like the weather, wait an hour. Works in reverse too. (Bleh.)

Soft Spring Rain

The sky dawned blue-eyed, crystal clear this morning. Fresh, spring-like. Low forties feels like summer after what we’ve endured this past winter. A strange week weather-wise, that’s for sure. Started with snow early on, graduated to hail mid-week. Then bright, sunny and clear this morning.

Hudson and I head to music therapy mid-morning. (Hudson, our little boy with Down syndrome.) He’s faithfully, energetically practiced his lion roar about six months now.

An old Rich Mullins CD quietly plays. The lyrics: “and the children keep learning, how to grow up big and strong, how to grow up big and strong.” And Hudson, he “sings”, growls along. Barely squeezes in the last syllable of each phrase. Roars out the “ig” and the “ong” right on cue. Love this little boy.

Slowly making his way in this world, learning to grow up big and strong. His way, his time-table.

“Promise me you’ll always remember: you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

-A.A.Milne

I love that quote.

Later he heads out on the bus to afternoon pre-school. By now the sky’s dark, overcast. Ominous and foreboding. I stack toys, wash dishes, then head out to pick up boys from school.

It’s pouring a Soft Spring Rain now. Haven’t seen, felt rain in months. Snow only. (Snow, snow and more snow.) Almost forgot what a spring rain feels like. Fresh. So much water coming down. And so soft.

I think of that little kid in the spring rain. Donning the rain boots, rain slicker. Heading out alone. Excited. Nearly quivering. Me. To the winding gravel driveway.

Finding that long stick. Digging the shallow paths, converging and diverging paths in the dirt. Manufacturing streams and rivers, canals and moats. Lakes and oceans. The water moving. Constantly moving, mesmerizing.

Like staring into flames. Always changing, ever the same. Cozy. Dry. Feeling that delicious rain beat through the slicker.

Oh for a stick, a gravel driveway, a yellow slicker, shiny red rain boots.

Grabbing the umbrella, I pick up Charlie first. Doesn’t want space under the canopy. He wants wet. (Boys.)  On to the next school for Hudson. We arrive early, wait the few minutes in the car.

I look up. Straight up. Overcast, smoky gray sunroof canvas. Rain beats, straight down. Droplets join droplets, collect. Form rivulets.

Charlie, he watches too. Mesmerized. The beads, they collect, grow, attract one another, join other larger rolling beads. Wander off. New ones form. So mesmerizing, riveting. Like flames.

Hudson, he comes out of school baffled by the rain. He’s forgotten what rain feels like, but so happy to join me under the umbrella. We snuggle in close, buckle up then drive home.

Parked in the driveway, we stare skyward again. Oak branches tower, beads collect. A thousand magnifying glasses, prisms.

Rain drops, they fall relentlessly. Surface tensions break, bead by bead. We could sit here for hours, not move a muscle. I whisper that aloud.

Five minutes later the phone vibrates. Jolts me back to reality. I slowly remove the key, collect the backpacks.

“But you said we’d sit here for hours,” says Charlie. (My literalist.)

I said we could. And truly, I’d love that.

That, and a stick, a gravel driveway, a yellow slicker, shiny red rain boots.

(P.S. Snow forecasted this week.)

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