Month: July 2020

Father’s Day – It’s Complicated

We love holidays around here. There’s usually so much light-heartedness and goodness and almost always – a reason for food.

But this week with the coming holiday, conversations and feels were different. Our team stood around in a circle trying to figure out how we’d celebrate Father’s Day on the blog and show love to the men who have helped shape our lives. We talked. And talked some more. Chats around the office were good; many of them heartwarming with sweet tales of stand-up dads and heroes and first loves. But others were… complicated.  Read more...

All That Glitters

Since we had promised a few decades earlier (during our rousing “vote-for-me-to-be-your-class-officer” speeches) to “be there” for our fellow classmates when the time came to plan our reunions—these officers-turned-attorneys and executives were now hopping on weekly conference calls to make all the arrangements: A special seating section at the Homecoming football game. A tour of the old high school. A Saturday night party on the floor of the famed “Spinning Wheels” skating rink where we had danced the Hokey Pokey on wheels at the end of the night. A web page to sell tickets. And a Facebook Group where we’d begin inviting our graduating class of 550 (we were the only high school in town) to engage, share stories and photos, and shake the trees to get as many people as possible to join us.  Read more...

Open Hearts

“The friends of your heart are not to be taken for granted
and should always be granted much more than they would take.”

I really hadn’t planned to get to know them very well. The circles of friendship I’d been investing in over the years were solid and full—I didn’t need to add any more friends. Plus, I might be moving across the country in a few months—so I told myself there really was no reason to forge new relationships, what with leaving town fairly soon and all.  Read more...


The Family Game

I’m always on the hunt for fun new games that will hold the attention of teens and pre-teens—especially during LOTS of family time with cousins and friends throughout the holidays. We were introduced to this gem a few years ago by a good friend and it’s been a favorite. When I share with people how fun it is, they immediately want to know how to play so they can introduce it to their friends and gatherings. Last Christmas season we played it countless times (with as few as 8 and as many as 25 people). It’s a winner! Here’s why:  Read more...

Coming Clean

A timely story that reminds me of a friend who said, “Inappropriate laughter is my favorite emotion.”

I remember the first time: I slipped my feet into the basin of warm water. In the dimmed glow…and the quiet…the immediate, uncomfortable rush of awkwardness and vulnerability flooded me. I worried if my feet smelled…if I had remembered to shave my legs…if this exercise in humility would end soon.  It really was almost too much to bear.  Read more...

5 Things I’ve Learned Since Prom

It’s prom season. Which means Facebook feeds are popping up with happy photos of dapper couples sporting color-coordinated dresses and cummerbunds, showcasing pretty flower wrist corsages. There’s hope and celebration in their smiles and a wistful “school-is-almost-over” delirium. My friends with prom-going teens are sharing that the make-up, hair, and nail appointments—plus tux rentals, elaborate prom invites, and dinner plans—are budget-busting and more complex than some weddings we remember. At the same time, the dresses are much more simple and streamlined than the fussy, ruffled peach taffeta affair I wore back in the day.  Read more...