I’m one of those people with a birthday at Christmas time. People frequently ask me what it’s like having a birthday during the holiday season and my answer is always the same: I don’t know any differently. I don’t know what it’s like to have a pool party, or to receive presents wrapped in something … [Read more...]
Book Review: “Bone And Bread” By Saleema Nawaz
I frequently feel guilty when my daughter tells me she’s bored. She’s an only child who, quite honestly, is capable of entertaining herself, but I know that she sometimes yearns for a sibling—someone to confide in, play games with, and, of course, commiserate with about her unfair parents. I get it. … [Read more...]
Book Review: “I’ll See You In Paris” By Michelle Gable
As a kid, I didn’t have a lot of luck when it came to art museums. To be more precise, I set off an alarm in one and threw up in another. My mother was always a great fan of art. She majored in Humanities, and our family spent many Sunday afternoons wandering around the local galleries in our … [Read more...]
Book Review: “The Forgetting Time” By Sharon Guskin
I was forty years old when I got my first tattoo. I had been contemplating getting one for years and finally decided that forty was as good of a time as any. I mean if I was going to turn forty, for cryin’ out loud, I might as well do something memorable. I’m no stranger to tattoos. My father has … [Read more...]
The Sound Of Gravel: How One Woman Escaped A Polygamist Cult
When my husband and I started dating, we, like other couples seeking out compatibility, asked each other the usual questions—ones that got to the heart of our moral compasses. We discussed religious beliefs, political affiliations, hopes, dreams, desires and fears. When we eventually got around to … [Read more...]
Book Review: “The Other Me” By Saskia Sarginson
While visiting my sister and her girls over the holidays, I thought it would be a great idea to have my niece pluck out my gray hairs. I don’t have a lot of them, but let’s face it: I’ve reached the time of my life when I can no longer deny having the shiny little suckers. They’re hiding in there, … [Read more...]
Book Review: “Pretending To Dance” By Diane Chamberlain
Until I was about 10 years old, I longed for a doll house. Oh, I had the Fisher Price one, along with the barn and the school, but I wanted a “real” doll house, the kind that stood three feet tall and had rooms full of miniature furniture. I imagined myself rearranging each tiny piece until I got … [Read more...]
Book Review: “House Of Thieves” By Charles Belfoure
I have to admit that I didn’t jump on the Downton Abbey craze right away. I had heard about the show and how good it was, but I just didn’t get around to watching it. I don’t watch a lot of television anyway, so not picking up a new show wasn’t too much of surprise. Besides, it took me at least a … [Read more...]
Book Review: “The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs” By Matthew Dicks
I have to say that I’m pretty proud of myself: I’m actually almost done with my Christmas shopping after an impromptu visit to the mall last week. I know, impressive, right? I finished earlier than expected with an appointment last Wednesday and figured that a quick shopping trip was in order. It … [Read more...]
How You Can Survive Your Parent’s Terminal Illness
When my mom was first diagnosed with cancer, I moved home to help her out. I had no experience with caregiving, but I figured that my knowledge would grow as the days passed. Boy was that the truth. In the same way that having a baby throws you into parenting—ready or not—caring for a critically ill … [Read more...]