Maria Calderoni
Bio
Born a lover of stories. I love to read, write and tell them. Tales of inspiration, resilience and struggle.
A life long learner, I enjoy nothing more than sharing interesting and useful things I have learned so far.
Please join me.
Achievements (1)
Stories (64/0)
YOU are the Strongest Woman I Know
Courage dear heart, As you fell into bed exhausted last night, I heard you breathe that familiar refrain, “Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will do better. Life is so hard….” a tear slipped out of your eye as you lay quietly waiting for sleep to come and yet wishing it wouldn’t.
By Maria Calderoni3 years ago in Humans
- Top Story - March 2021
Bikini Bottom Was Actually a Nuclear Testing SiteTop Story - March 2021
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Things are rarely as they seem. The innocent and silly SpongeBob SquarePants is no exception. First premiering in 1999 the show was wildly popular with children and adults alike. Created by a marine educator turned animator, Stephen Hillenburg, few people are aware of the sinister beginnings of Bikini Bottom, the home of SpongeBob and friends.
By Maria Calderoni3 years ago in FYI
- Top Story - March 2021
IRON BUNS (Not to be Confused with Buns of Steel)
One of the joys of parenthood is the plethora of hilarious events and conversations that occur usually spontaneously. In the ongoing series of "You can't make this stuff up," please accompany me on a seemingly normal evening errand…….
By Maria Calderoni3 years ago in Families
Alone
The fierce roar of a mechanical monster careening in through the second story bedroom window breaks through her consciousness, silencing her tortured dreams. Not yet opening her eyes to another lonely day she lay half sleeping, half thinking as the garbage truck clambers up the street. Cars whizz by faster than they should, louder than she remembers. The night had been so still, so quiet. How could the morning be so deafening? she wonders. “Thank you God for this day,” she breathes, repeating the ritual that gave her courage to open her eyes, “thank you that I get to be my kids’ mom today!” Fully awake, the street volume decreases as her thoughts rush to drown out other distractions. “You are ALONE…..” She no longer hears the sounds of traffic as the full reality floods back... Unable to even write, her thoughts too scattered, raw, confused, bewildered, she carefully extracts herself from between the sleeping children and creeps off the thick mattress, heading downstairs. As a stair creaks she pauses, relishing the morning quiet before the children’s voices wake the ancient farm house. Declining her favorite time of day in favor of a solitary walk, she skips her shower, slipping into yesterday’s clothes left hanging on the back of her bedroom door.
By Maria Calderoni3 years ago in Families
Comfort From the Past
My lips closed over the thin wheat cracker nearly obscured by the generous glob of my favorite homemade dip. Gooey, smooth and rich, I quickly grabbed another cracker and using it as a scoop, thrust another bite of the delicious French onion flavored dip into my awaiting mouth before the last bite was even finished. As I savored the taste and the mix of textures, my mind wandered to a day when this very delicacy filled not just my stomach, but my heart as well, with the sense of being truly loved and cared for.
By Maria Calderoni3 years ago in Feast
- Top Story - March 2021
Burn The House DownTop Story - March 2021
“Really the only sure solution is to burn your house down and start over.” This was what my vet offered the day she handed back my cat with the proclamation: “Yep, he has fleas all right.” She saw my obvious distress. Already overwhelmed, here was another thing to deal with. I almost cried. I don’t think I actually cried. I might have. As much as I love my children and love how much they love their cats, I will admit that I did not anticipate the trials of feline ownership. Trapped is how I felt. Helpless to rid ourselves of either the fleas or the cats. “Once you have them, you pretty much have them forever. Until you move or burn the house down.” My vet is practical and very matter of fact. She is pragmatic and I initially accepted her prognosis as gospel. Driving home my shoulders slumped. “We can never have friends over ever again.” I mumbled to myself. “We have fleas.” “Damn Cats! Why did I ever get cats for my kids? And now I can’t just get rid of their cats.” Like a mouse on a sticky trap trying desperately to wrestle myself free, I felt like the world’s dumbest parent. There must be a solution. People have cats. I know tons of people with cats and other pets. Surely they don’t just live with fleas for their whole lives. By the time I got home I was ready to armor up!
By Maria Calderoni3 years ago in FYI
Real Cures No One Talks About
Your day is going fine when you start to feel just a little tickle in your throat. You ignore it and go on with your day. Later you feel extra tired, just dragging and wonder where your usual energy has gone. The tickle in your throat gets worse and you find yourself clearing and clearing when you need to speak. Then your ears feel a bit plugged....
By Maria Calderoni3 years ago in FYI