After 9 1/2 years as cable television subscribers, we decided we won’t take one more rate hike.  The content has gotten worse as the cost has gotten higher.  We can no longer justify the impact on our family of either one.  The cable has to go. When did MTV stop playing music?  When did Cartoon Network stop being for children?  When did the news networks become political talk shows?  When did it happen that the only decent dramas on TV... Read more

When we began homeschooling we said that we would keep doing it as long as it worked.  I usually said it in a bright and chipper voice which I hoped conveyed that I was no homeschool fanatic; I just chose to do this for now. “My educational decisions are in no way a judgment on your educational decisions” was my message. It was an act.  I freely admit a the tiniest bit of smug superiority, for I loved my children... Read more

Six years ago,  your siblings stood on the front porch watching lightning dancing across the night sky.  “It’s fireworks,” your Opa said.  “God is so happy that you have a sister that he’s putting on a show.”  They sighed in wonder at the joy of God. You were such a bitty thing all curled up in our arms.  Almost called Horatio, you slept easily with your great-grandmother’s name as your own. For so long, you have wanted only to be... Read more

For all my male readers and the women who love them. Read more

When I was a girl, my mother made the most amazing birthday cakes for us, amazing confections of cake and sugar.  It was, for me, a part of the definition of motherhood.  Moms make dinner, say prayers, love you, make spectacular cakes. I don’t make amazing cakes.  In fact, I’ve made very few birthday cakes for my children at all.  Our local grocery store does a good job, they’re cheap, and I’m too scared to do it.  In my chicken-hearted... Read more

 Sew from Sew Infertile, a first time mom-to-be, asked a bunch of questions on my last post.  It was too much to get into in the com box, so I’m answering it here.  As always, I’m not a medical professional, just a seasoned veteran.  If you think I’m wrong, have something to add, or just want to holler “Amen!” please feel free to do so. So do you need an iv if you think an epidural is going to be... Read more

 I went to a baby shower last weekend for a young mom in her early 20s.  I was at least 10 years older than anyone else in the room.  They never treated me as the old lady.  It was very nice of them.They asked if I had any advice for young moms-to-be from someone who has been there a few times.  I love that they asked.  I am not a medical professional.  I am just a woman who has had... Read more

**Warning–If you didn’t get it from the title, this post is about sex. If you’re not old enough, come back tomorrow.  If you don’t like reading about sex, come back tomorrow.  If you get embarrassed, come back tomorrow.  Otherwise, read on.** A quick scan of magazine headlines in the grocery store, on the rare occasion when I don’t bring children with me, would lead me to believe that single girls are swinging from the rafters and married women are baking... Read more

Guest Post by my brilliant brother—I love you, Butch!  Happy Father’s Day! I come from a long line of fathers. It’s a legacy I hope to pass on to my son one day. Some of the dads in my line were spectacular. Some were not. All were inescapably human and imperfect. I never knew most of the dads, just my own. The others were long dead and buried before I came along. I have no delusions about my own father.... Read more

I’ve gotten a couple of comments and emails from readers who are confused a bit by the purple hair.  Let me begin by assuring my male readers that this is the last “hair” post for a while, but women want to know these things. It all began a week and a half ago when I went to an all girls dinner party thrown by my cousin.  She has these every three months and calls them “Eat, Drink and Gab.”  They... Read more