A splice of life

I am around eight years old and totally flummoxed. My mother has just posed the following conundrum to me:“Two pairs of mothers and daughters went to the market and bought three lemons. They each got a whole lemon. How is that possible?”

Resisting the urge to just stare at her and blurt out that she is joking, I carefully go over the riddle word by word. After five minutes of straining the grey cells, I am nowhere near the answer. Five more frustrating minutes with numerous fractions worked out infront of me, and I utterly give up. Mum smiles and explains, “The two pairs were: a Grandmother, a Mother...

Read the full story in the Spring 2016 issue of Thema

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2025 words
Humour
US publication

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Words from the Wise

"I liked this essay... I thought your subject and tone were interesting... The description of the family writing its history is very funny... I do like the topic and think there's gentle comedy and potentially something profound about the piece... I'd love to have this essay... You did a marvelous job of bringing the essay to a conclusion, and I had the good kind of chill going down my back as I read your final paragraph. You cogently and eloquently explained the reason for this endearing tradition, and I suspect that many Americans may end up being more than a little jealous of not having such a tradition after reading your account and its meaning... Again, this was really a wonderful result... Congratulations."
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ex-Essays and Memoirs Editor
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Discover Your History

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Ladies' Home Journal

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Eureka Street

The ties that bind

I am around eight years old and totally flummoxed. My mother has just posed the following conundrum to me:
“Two pairs of mothers and daughters went to the market and bought three lemons. They each got a whole lemon. How is that possible?”

Resisting the urge to just stare at her and blurt out that she is joking, I carefully go over the riddle word by word. After five minutes of straining the grey cells, I am nowhere near the answer. Five more frustrating minutes with numerous fractions worked out infront of me, and I utterly give up. Mum smiles and explains, “The two pairs were: a Grandmother, a Mother...

Read the full article in the Summer 2010 issue of Ducts

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

2025 wordsEssay
US publication

***********************

Words from the Wise

"I liked this essay... I thought your subject and tone were interesting... The description of the family writing its history is very funny... I do like the topic and think there's gentle comedy and potentially something profound about the piece... I'd love to have this essay... You did a marvelous job of bringing the essay to a conclusion, and I had the good kind of chill going down my back as I read your final paragraph. You cogently and eloquently explained the reason for this endearing tradition, and I suspect that many Americans may end up being more than a little jealous of not having such a tradition after reading your account and its meaning... Again, this was really a wonderful result... Congratulations."

Elizabeth Rosen

Essays and Memoirs Editor

Ducts

"I thought this was a very interesting story and compelling to read"

Diana Lyles

CEO

Scribblers and Ink Spillers

Present from the past

Helen Blackwell’s birthday was fast approaching. That is to say, it was about eight months away, but when one is your best friend, you can’t plan too far enough in advance. And on her 40th, I was determined to pull out all stops.

Helen and I had been friends since childhood. We grew up together, went to the same school, attended colleges in neighbouring towns and got married within a few months of each other. We knew each other’s families like our own and each other’s thoughts better than ourselves. I knew she would want an unusual gift that would complete her special day. Not cosmetics, she...
Read the full article in the May 2010 issue of Practical Family History


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1215 words
Humour
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Includes ten funny cartoons featuring Debora and her menage!

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Words from the Wise

"It is a really lovely piece, and well written... I really enjoyed the article as it is a lovely, light, read on a family history theme... I am sure it will make a lovely feature... Thank you for the funny illustrations"

Karen Clare

(Acting) Editor

Practical Family History

"It's a lovely story"

Debbie Attewell

Editor

Candis

The ties that bind

I am around eight years old and totally flummoxed. My mother has just posed the following conundrum to me:
“Two pairs of mothers and daughters went to the market and bought three lemons. They each got a whole lemon. How is that possible?”

Resisting the urge to just stare at her and blurt out that she is joking, I carefully go over the riddle word by word. After five minutes of straining the grey cells, I am nowhere near the answer. Five more frustrating minutes with numerous fractions worked out infront of me, and I utterly give up. Mum smiles and explains, “The two pairs were: a Grandmother, a Mother...

Read the full article in the June 2008 issue of Family Tree Magazine

or

Request to read the original article via email for just 99p! (T&C apply)

1215 words
Humour
UK publication

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Words from the Wise

"Wonderful article"

Jeanie Croasmun

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Ancestry Magazine

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Ancestors Magazine

"You have a good writing style which flows well. I was intrigued and wanted to read on"

Henry Saley

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Horizon Magazine

"We like your article"

Ed Zapletal

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Family Chronicle