Author Archives: Ellen Ross

Story Problem

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Ellen Ross

I hate math. It started at Avoca School in Miss Ostlund’s third grade class. I was breezing along with addition and subtraction and multiplication. But then we came to long division. Uh oh. Even today, those two words strike terror … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, pop culture | 20 Comments

The Longest Day

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Ellen Ross

In 1994 when my daughter Natasha was almost sixteen she wanted to study French in summer school- in France. So her school made the arrangements. For seven weeks she would live with a local family while she took classes en … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Memoir, pop culture, Tributes | 8 Comments

The Commerce Comet

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Ellen Ross

I love to ski. Downhill. (No cross-country for me. Too much work. I need gravity.) I came to skiing late in life, aided and abetted by my handsome, easy-going Snowmass ski instructor. The gods of Ullr were smiling down on … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Sports, Tributes | 14 Comments

The Voice

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Ellen Ross

I’ve always been susceptible to the charms of a soothing voice. Certain accents, cadences, lilts, intonations are literally music to my ears. And I especially love ones that hail from across the pond. The United Kingdom to be exact. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Movies, pop culture, Tributes | 4 Comments

Been There. Done That.

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Ellen Ross

Do you know a know-it-all? You know the type. An insufferable boor- and bore- who leaches all the oxygen out of the room with his inane pronouncements. A “Cliff” from Cheers. You can’t even argue with this kind of guy. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 6 Comments

Fashion Forward

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Ellen Ross

Every May Chicago gets a few glorious days that are simply perfect. And they are a reminder that it’s swim suit season once again. But they are fleeting- traditionally leaving Memorial Day weekend cold and rainy. (I never remember an … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, pop culture | 2 Comments

Match.Com

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Ellen Ross

Ever since my last divorce all of my dating activity has been on hold. And I really haven’t minded. For years I was content keeping a low love life profile. I wasn’t up for meeting anyone new of the opposite … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, pop culture | 2 Comments

MTM

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Ellen Ross

When I was growing up in the fifties in Wilmette, Illinois, there were three Ellens who lived on my block. And we were all the same age. (To prevent total confusion at Avoca School, our teachers came up with “Ellen … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 12 Comments

(Step) Mother’s Day

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Ellen Ross

Author’s note: This post is dedicated to Julie, Patti and Amy- my three step daughters of twenty years. Terrific women all. We’ve all read the depressing statistics. The divorce rate in the United States hovers around 50% these days. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir, Tributes | 8 Comments

Anchors Aweigh

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Ellen Ross

Ahoy maties! Boating season runs from May first until October first around here so it’s time to put them back into the water. Lake Michigan has many fine harbors and it’s a very pretty sight to see them come alive … Continue reading →

Posted in Memoir | 4 Comments