What’s the One Rule When Playing with the Big Boys?
I watched them closely, not because I was concerned, but rather because this kid had everything I’d ever crushed on when I was a young girl.
Get it Right: This is Not Politics or Optics
As a child I lived on base. We stopped and turned in the direction of the flag every night at dusk, whether it was in view or not. We stood silently as Taps played. We honored the flag, all it represents, and all who serve.
That said, I don’t understand what all the fuss is about.
Fine Tune Talk Time (with help from TiffinTalk)
It is one of the most frustrating parts of being a parent; just as some real conversation starts, Life happens (or a shiny object skips across the mind’s eye), and you put the moment on hold. Once you circle back to the topic your kid has forgotten what they wanted to say.
Pick an Answer: The Struggle, Parenthood, or Love.
What is REAL? “Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’ ‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit. ‘Sometimes,’ said…
Inspiring Serendipity: a How To List
I’ve mentioned this a time or two before, but music has always been my first love. Not that I’m musically inclined, mind you. My memories have nevertheless always seemed inseparable from the soundtrack. At this point, I could ramble on in 20 directions – each path a song, each inspiring another story, or chapter, or…
Practical Magic: Conjuring More Beautiful Bedtimes with my Daughter
Suddenly we were back to our very early days. My girl, who never wanted to sleep in her crib alone, and me, who just needed her to sleep so I could sleep too.
Plus 2 Surprise Babies Makes Us A Lucky Seven
Families are complex. At least mine always has been. Do you remember the Newhart tv series in the 80s with a character called Larry and his brothers, Daryl and Daryl? Well, thanks to my blended family, I actually have three brothers, and two are named James. Although neither went by “James,” as a kid I…
What do you fear you could endure?
What is your biggest fear? There’s an interesting question for someone who struggles with anxiety. My mind immediately jumps to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inaugural address: “…let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts…“ It turns out,…
I Found Something Precious in a Crystal Ball
When we are small children objects appear without explanation. Registered as little more than shapes colors on walls and high shelves; set pieces picked out according to someone else’s esthetic. Some tchotchkes, however, call to the mind of a child. To this day, I cannot tell you where the crystal ball came from, nor how it came…
Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst…
Thanks to this self-portrait he drew a few weeks back, my husband and I learned our son wants to be a police officer when he grows up. When asked why, he launched excitedly into an elaborate answer involving how he wants to catch bad guys using his excellent karate moves, how he will protect those…
Mother of Serendipity 