The Zayde Chronicles

Facilitated by the remarkable technology that is FaceTime, Jo and I speak with Bina almost every day. Perhaps, I should rephrase that – Jo and I perform for Bina – and we do so with great delight.  At moments when Bina is a bit cranky or needs company while Nomi quickly runs to the basement to put in a wash (with Bina secure in her high chair), the Bubbe and Zayde Players are called upon to perform.   I announce my appearance on Bubbe and Zayde TV with a rendition of “It’s Happy Zayde Time” sang to the tune of “ It’s Happy Doody Time ”, among the essential anthems of my youth. Jo’s specialty is a highly exaggerated sneeze that causes her hair to flop over her face.  Bina thinks that is the best thing ever. I call upon a Kermit the Frog Pirate doll to perform an array of antics; popping up from behind Jo’s shoulder, resting atop her head, magically appearing from the side of the screen.  Peek-a-boo maintains its allure for toddlers thro...

This past July, a heavy summer rainstorm deposited perhaps 5 inches of rain on our Sandy Springs neighborhood along with an 80-foot oak on the roof of our home.  The tree removal, which involved an array of heavy equipment not generally intended for suburban usage, also destroyed our yard’s limited landscaping. Desperate to transition our backyard from a post-apocalyptic landscape to something fit for human habitation, I reached out to our local UGA Extension office.  Several weeks later, Abra, an advisor from the office, visited our home to assess the lunar-like landscape.  Observing the ¼ acre arbor of dense trees behind our yard and, noting that I had a granddaughter, she suggested that I create woodland trails to explore.  “For the grandchild” were the three magical words that catalyzed me into action. A week later, Atlanta Arbor, the company that had so expertly removed the oak encased in our roof, deposited a truckload of wood chips on our front lawn. ...