A Couple of Things We Need

  I’ve decided I need a couple of simple things in my life that will make things so much better. Forever. I’m going to describe them here, because I suspect, Dear Reader, that you have similar needs. The first one requires an inventor. So all you...

Three Ways I Fight the Blues

I’m not talking about music here. I’m not a fan of those blues, but I don’t protest them. I’m talking about that edge of depression that sometimes sneaks in at night when I’m sleeping and then waits for me in the kitchen the next morning....

3 Reasons You Should Not Get Your Kids a Dog

At our recent Cousins’ Camp, every grandchild was begging their parents for a dog. (Except the child who just succeeded in convincing her parents to get a second dog. She is an expert at adorable eyes.) In an attempt to help our own adult children and parents...

Why I Talk to Strangers

Two weeks ago, we picked up this crew alongside the road. It was a scheduled pick-up. They came for the annual Cousins Camp at our house. We met half-way between our house and all of theirs in a two-vehicle caravan both ways. One hour into our return trip, we made the...

Four Ways to Thrive This Summer

At first, I planned to call this post “Three Ways to Survive the Summer of Seventeen.” But that sounded terribly pessimistic for someone who is all about hope. I do have hope, and here are some of the ways I hold onto it in the midst of a...