cocooned

I’m sorry I’ve been quiet the last week. (And I’m sorry I was late on drawing names for the autographed copy of Hot (Sweaty) Mamas. I just had one of my fine coffee shop friends pull a name from a bowl, and it’s Cath C! Cath, send me your address, and I’ll get the book…

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a note about the Vanda and patience

My favorite plant is the Vanda Rothschildiana. It hangs in the window of our dining room, its long stem twisting around itself, as if it’s reaching for the sun. When it blooms, its huge buds open to reveal lavender petals the size of a child’s hand. I inherited this plant from Mimi, with whom D…

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hot (sweaty) mamas!

I never set out to be a runner. Sure, I ran cross country in high school, but most of the time I hated it. I tried to trip myself during races when the exhaustion became unbearable, and my friends and I often took short cuts on long practice runs. We hid in the bushes or…

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what’s in a moment?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the moments that I don’t want to forget—moments with my children and other family members, especially my grandpa, who defies the odds at 102, but who won’t be able to forever. (He would give a disgusted grunt at my lack of faith, I know.) Working from home is tricky—I…

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inspiration and work

I am currently teaching three classes–two online Mother Words classes and a prose revision class at the Loft–and I’m busy, especially when you add the girls and Stella’s spring break last week and writing and editing and family and friends (well, you get the picture). There isn’t enough time in the day to keep up.…

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thank you!

Thank you to everyone who commented on my de-lurk for Japan post and also to those of you who linked to it from your blogs. What an amazing community! I feel so fortunate to be a part of it.  I’ve been a little scattered lately. This weekend D turned 40! (Happy birthday, babe!) We had…

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de-lurk for japan

I always seem to miss the national de-lurking day, the day when all the people who read blogs anonymously—silently—are asked to post a comment and say, hey, I’m here, reading. I actually don’t really like the term “lurker” because it conjures up a number of sinister images in my mind: someone crouched in the bushes…

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3!

It’s hard to believe that on Saturday my little Zoë turned three. For weeks, whenever someone asked her how old she was, she smiled that huge Zoë smile and held up three fingers. And now it’s official—my baby is not a baby anymore. On Friday we took cupcakes to her preschool and her friends gathered in…

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the red dress club

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! D and I don’t do much to celebrate–this year we decided to splurge and exchange cards–but the girls are beside themselves with excitement. We got them Valentine’s pencils and chocolates and those musical cards (which they adore). This afternoon I’ll brainstorm a festive chicken recipe (any ideas?) and maybe my dad…

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cover me

A couple of weeks ago I finished Sonya Huber’s compelling new memoir, Cover Me: A Health Insurance Memoir, which was released in October from University of Nebraska Press, and I can’t think of a more timely book. If you’ve ever had stress over healthcare and coverage, you will relate to this story. But perhaps it’s…

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