“We appear to be seeing a new rash of cases,” said CDC spokesperson Ima Ditz. “Rhymatoid ArtWriteUs is breaking out up and down the East Coast of the U.S., with suspected incidents popping up as far north as Portland, Maine and as far south as the Florida Keys. There is currently no vaccine available and […]
The Scene of the Crime, the Pleasure of a Hat, a Mother’s News
Intestinal fortitude. A great hat. A mother’s happiness. Friday was a good day. Need a little back story? Oh, the dilemma of working from home! How we weary of wrestling with isolation; writers in particular need an occasional dose of living beings – especially since that’s generally what we write about. And if you’re single […]
Baptism by Bubble Bath (and Other Acts of Love)
I was thinking about my in-laws the other evening. I loved them, and haven’t seen them in nearly 10 years. They are a close knit family, grounded, smart, and unpretentious. We communicated in an amusing mix of languages, and got along well for more than a decade. I remember how proud my father-in-law was when […]
Techno-Rescue (Kids Kick Butt!)
Let’s hear it for teens with techie talents, remote connection software, and loads of patience for their weary and whiny parents, far far away. A few nights ago, the audio on my laptop stopped working. Bit the dust. Dead. Nada. D-A-M-N-A-T-I-O-N. I wanted to play my favorite DVD! Yes, a chick flick. I tried control […]
Is College Still the Brass Ring? (Teen Stress, College Prep, College Applications)
Is college still the brass ring? With many parents financially strapped and savings wiped out, it’s only natural that we reconsider college for our sons and daughters. Once, it was a given that those four years meant the education needed to succeed, and essential experiences to test independence. My 18-year old is now a freshman […]
Halloween hell: Hershey's in the pantry
Yep. It’s driving me crazy. That big bag, well, huge actually. Purchased 24 hours ago, and still unopened in the pantry. But I know it’s there. And it’s killing me. Yes indeed – we stand on the brink of another great American candy holiday – every figure-watching, chocolate-addicted woman’s nightmare! (And I do allow for […]
Parenting Tips: When Kids Are Ready for Home Alone
I recently described a transatlantic booty call from an old friend – with the possibility of a free trip to Paris (compliments of his generosity). French sex versus responsible parenting? For me, it’s a no-brainer; I received commiseration from the single moms (how romantic, how nice to dream, etc.), and from the single dads – […]
Family photos reveal changing dynamics
He was walking out the door with a red silk tie bound around his forehead, as his curls poked out from under a baseball cap and a brightly colored beanie – complete with propeller. As for the rest of him – let’s just say – I burst out laughing and reached for my nearby camera. […]
Parenting from a peripheral planet
The thing is – we remember when they were completely dependent on us, and we were the center of their universe. That makes the shift to the periphery a struggle. For us, not them. A teenager’s world may be built on a foundation lovingly laid, brick by brick, by one parent, two parents, grandparents, aunts, […]
Bread Crumbs, Stale Crusts, Potions: I Don’t Talk About My Ex
They aren’t lies, exactly – the things I say to my children about their father. I don’t talk about my ex much – not with them, and certainly not here except obliquely. Yet you may sense him in the background. An occasional presence, a haze, a storm brewing. You