Am I a single parent? It is a question I’ve grappled with many times in my life, most recently when looking at my bio on this very blog where I have self described myself as a single mother. I don’t feel like a single parent. It is true that I’m not married and therefore by definition am I single? But
Read moreI’m not usually one for resolutions. I don’t think I’ve even attempted to make one since this one. But last night I was at my sister’s house playing cards and my brother-in-law was rehashing the conversation he has with my three year old nephew each morning before he is dropped off at daycare. It goes something like this. Don’t pull
Read moreDear Evan and Lulu, I never know how to reply when someone asks that question “how do you do it?” How do you work full time, go to graduate school, and raise two children. The long answers is complicated and involves so many important people. The short answer is easier to say but harder for some to understand. “We’re raising
Read more2013 has not been the greatest year for our household. Let me be clear, we have had some amazing moments. However, it has not been the healthiest year we’ve experienced. If I met me in the last year I would have to heavily consider whether or not I am a hypochondriac. I’m not, for the record, I just really disliked
Read moreDear Evan and Lulu, The best part of my job is going into classrooms and getting to be with children. It reminds me of how exciting it is to spend your days at school. The little things students look forward to: librarian visits, and the big things that they talk, think, and dream about for weeks in advance: readings of
Read moreDear Evan and Lulu, Last night I got dressed up for the one event of the year that I bother to brush my hair for. Once a year I squeeze into a dress, wear shoes that pinch my toes, and pose for ridiculous photos with Mike and our friends at an annual holiday party. This year I looked forward to
Read more“I admire anybody who has the guts to write anything at all.” ― E.B. White Dear Evan and Lulu, Sometimes I worry that when you are old enough to actually read these letters you are going to roll your eyes and storm out of the room, disgusted that all I’ve managed to capture of your childhood are words strewn together with
Read moreDear Evan and Lulu, My friend Natalie refers to the two of you as little Riot Grrrls. I love it. I never knew what Riot Grrrls were until it was too late. I grew up in North Idaho, the land of Carharts, country music, clogging and cowboy boots. I’ve become attached to cowboy boots in my later years but
Read moreI am so sick of hearing the debate over the death of print books. Let me sum up my thoughts for you so we can move on. Yes, everything will continue to go digital. No, print books will not become obsolete. Yes, it might mean things change, like you will receive things in a digital format and there are places
Read moreOn November 1st I woke up to birds calling, I kissed my fresh-breathed fiance, I didn’t have to yell at my dutiful minions even once, I ran 5 miles with ease and when I returned to my spotless house I declared with confidence “I’m going to write a novel this month!” That is not actually what happened. Instead, on
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Chop Wood, Carry Water 