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Stories tagged: cindy hval
Thu., July 31, 2014
Front Porch: Grateful to have told WWII veteran’s story
The fading late afternoon sun, blurred by the haze of wildfires, fell softly across the foot of his bed. A smoke-tinged breeze wafted through the open French doors. His once-commanding …
Thu., July 17, 2014
Front Porch: Don’t sweat summer’s hot flashes
In Spokane we have two seasons: Complaining About the Cold and Complaining About the Heat. We’re smack in the middle of “It’s too hot!” season, but for once I’m not …
Thu., July 3, 2014
Front Porch: Feline’s perspective: He’s fluffy, not fat
Editor’s note: Cindy Hval is on vacation this week. Her intern, Thor, the junior cat in the Hval household is filling in for this week’s column. Cindy will return next …
Thu., June 5, 2014
Front Porch: Sometimes, a glimpse can say so much
Writers see stories everywhere. In a little boy in full pirate regalia standing under an oscillating front yard sprinkle.
Wed., June 4, 2014
Fresh spinach dishes would make even Popeye proud
The only spinach I knew as a child came from a small white carton in the deep freezer. Mom would dump the frozen leaves into a pot of boiling water …
Thu., April 17, 2014
Front Porch: Chicken, egg stories incubate responses
Henrietta stares balefully at me from her perch next to my printer. I think she knows I’m writing about her and her feathered friends. Last month, I wrote a column …
Thu., April 3, 2014
Front Porch: Soldier left a lasting impression
His face stared out me from the photo album. Dark hair with straight bangs falling across huge green eyes. A goofy grin and a Nintendo controller clutched in his hands. …
Thu., March 20, 2014
Front Porch: Husband’s chicken plan for the birds
On Saturday, Derek and I will celebrate our 28th anniversary. You’d think after all these years together, I’d know him quite well, but he can still surprise me. In fact, …
Wed., March 19, 2014
Meatloaf recipe that pleases everyone
My 4-year-old son sat at the table, arms folded across his chest, a mutinous scowl radiating his displeasure. Glaring at the plate in front of him, he growled, “Meatlope. I …
Thu., March 6, 2014
Front Porch: Reader feedback illuminates light bulb phase out
It appears my column on the light bulb phase out flipped a few switches in the Spokane area. The calls and emails that came in response to the column revealed …
Thu., Feb. 20, 2014
Front Porch: In the dark on light bulb phase-out
The clickety clack sound of my fingers flying over the keyboard filled my home office as I sat hunched over my desk racing against another looming deadline. I glanced down …
Thu., Jan. 23, 2014
Front Porch: Seahawks fan from head to painted toes
Some people wear their dedication to their teams on their sleeves, sporting jerseys and jackets with team colors and logos. Some folks fly their pride from their flagpoles, car antennas …
Thu., Jan. 9, 2014
Front Porch: Veterans’ life stories mattered
I read something recently that I can’t seem to shake. Something I’ve pondered much at the dawn of this new year. It’s from the book “The Other Wes Moore: One …
Thu., Dec. 26, 2013
Front Porch: Meltdown of Christmas past a good reminder
In the annals of Hval holiday lore, one story is guaranteed to get trotted out each Christmas. My children call it, “Mom’s Christmas Tree Meltdown.” I call it, “Too Many …
Thu., Dec. 12, 2013
Front Porch: Critiquing Christmas carols filled with peril
First, let me be perfectly clear. I do not hate John Lennon. Just because I opined that “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” is one of the worst Christmas songs ever, …
Thu., Nov. 28, 2013
Front Porch: Sometime relaxing is easier said than done
Clenching the steering wheel, I muttered while the tractor in front of me slowly puttered. A quick glance at the clock on my dash confirmed my fear – I was …
Thu., Nov. 14, 2013
Front Porch: Remembering Charlie Parsons
Tears came easily to him. Mostly tears of joy and gratitude. He was often beaming while his eyes filled. Some folks wear their hearts on their sleeves, but Charlie Parsons’ …
Thu., Oct. 31, 2013
Front Porch: No kids? No reason to bail on Halloween
Sweat and saliva streaked down my face. The plastic mask stuck to sticky places as I tried to take shallow breaths through the tiny nostril holes. Death via suffocation seemed …
Wed., Oct. 23, 2013
Nothing Bundt Cakes gives cake its due
Cake lovers rejoice. Nothing Bundt Cakes, a national chain, has opened its first Spokane franchise and is celebrating with a grand opening on Saturday. Although the bakery on 29th Avenue …
Thu., Oct. 17, 2013
Front Porch: Cats continue adding fun to the home
Reader feedback regarding my foray into political analysis (“One parent’s humble fix for Congress,” Oct. 3) has been decidedly mixed with the majority of emails chiding me for my less …
Thu., Oct. 3, 2013
Front Porch: One parent’s humble fix for Congress
Longtime readers know I don’t wade into politics in this column. I let others do the dirty work of calling out corruption, explaining political policy and making fun of Joe …
Wed., Sept. 25, 2013
Valleyford woman pens cookbook to help others adjust
Meal planning for a family of five is never easy, but imagine doing your grocery shopping in a country where you don’t speak the language, and many of the foods …
Thu., Sept. 19, 2013
Front Porch: These undies are a pain in the ribs
The pain in my rib cage jabbed with startling ferocity. I squirmed in my seat in the crowded auditorium, trying to get comfortable. I was learning a painfully expensive lesson …
Thu., Sept. 5, 2013
Front Porch: Cosby still master of comic tale
My ribs hurt. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I gasped for breath. I was 5 years old and my brother David had just introduced me to Bill Cosby. He’d brought …
Thu., Aug. 22, 2013
Front Porch: Timing just perfect for projects
The morning sun warms my legs as I write. A pair of white butterflies flit above the petunias, daisies and geraniums that overflow the planters. A slight breeze ruffles the …
Thu., Aug. 8, 2013
Front Porch: The boys can’t resist the porch
The June sun warmed my shoulders as I powered through the last leg of my 3-mile walk. Kenny Loggins’ “I’m Alright” filled my headphones as I mentally reworked an article …
Thu., July 25, 2013
Front Porch: Blues fest strikes chord with family
We got the blues again. All four of us. Last year’s pilgrimage to Wallace for the Historic Wallace Blues Festival was such a hit, our sons clamored to return again …
Thu., July 11, 2013
Front Porch: Hearing husband snore is better than the alternative
The rumbling woke me from a sound sleep. Blearily, I glanced at the clock – 5:30. I sighed. Saturdays are for sleeping in. Then came the roaring.
Thu., June 27, 2013
Front Porch: Little things shine bright this dark day
Discouraged. Disheartened. Disappointed. Those three D’s dogged me like an annoying kid brother tagging along, uninvited.
Thu., June 13, 2013
Front Porch: Grocery store stalker made corn sweeter
All I wanted was some corn to throw on the barbecue. But my Saturday shopping took on a surreal turn when I was accosted by a stranger while perusing produce. …