Oh. Sorry, never mind. My husband’s new job is working out quite well, thanks. He even actually has the day off today! (Of course he’s not being paid for it, which means he worked his behind off last week to make up for the lost hours.) Anyway, we’re not accustomed to this sort of thing, so I got all mixed up about posting, not posting, posting something appropriate, wondering what would be appropriately proletarian for Labor Day, wondering if I... Read more
(image source) My kids fight sometimes. Of course they do. But I have long thought that well-meaning parents actually cause much of the sibling rivalry that worries them so. Most parenting magazines, sooner or later, run an article for parents expecting baby #2, explaining how to guide the usurped older child through the horror and the devastation of bringing a new baby into the home. Now, I don’t mean to be a pollyanna about what really happens. Sometimes it’s not... Read more
I don’t know what my problem is, but I have a problem with novenas. I guess I’m overly cautious about superstition — maybe I’ve seen too many of those classified ads: “Force the Sacred Heart of Jesus to grant your top wishes!” I may be an idiot, but even I know better than to drag the Holy Spirit into a pyramid scheme. But seriously, I do understand the theology behind a novena. You’re just kind of proving to God... Read more
I happened to pick up Isabelle Allende’s Island Beneath the Sea, and now I’m sorry. Okay, so the cover said it was “[t]he sweeping story of an unforgettable woman–a slave and a concubine determined to claim her own destiny against impossible odds.” So I was warned. In my defense, I didn’t expect it to be great literature, and I assumed I’d have to skip some steamy parts (right-o). But Allende’s earlier novel, The House of the Spirits, was actually a... Read more
There she is! Oh, um, sorry, I mean, please come see me in two other places today. Such a day! I have a piece up at Faith and Family Live—an interview with Kathy Rivet, who has been teaching Creighton Model NFP for over 30 years. Kathy has also been my instructor for about eight years, so I can personally attest to the fact that she is a woman of supernatural patience and fortitude. Come check out what she has to... Read more
1. I just got home from school supply shopping. Well, I’m used to checking out with heaping full cart, but usually that’s when I’m buying a week’s worth of food for ten people, not desk supplies for four little kids. Sheesh. Sheesh. Sheesh. Those kids had better learn something this year. Two of the kids had flash drives on their supply lists from the teachers! Okay, that’s actually kind of cool, but still. When I was in 6th grade, we... Read more
Seven Quick Takes: “Pearls Before Swine” Edition In choosing movies, my kids have more or less beaten me down. Of course I don’t let them watch just anything they want, because, obviously, some things are harmful or inappropriate in themselves; and some things are just so dang stupid, they do damage to immature aesthetic organs. On the other hand, it’s so unpleasant to spend an evening shushing and chastising sulky kids while they ruin a perfectly good movie. And all... Read more
Hi, I’m the Jerk. I’m allowed to write movie reviews on Simcha’s blog once a week under two conditions. One: I keep the language clean. Two: I have to wear pants when I write. (Somehow, she can tell.) I know, some of you were made SAD by my review of Yentl. I know some of you thought I should probably go to the beach for a STAYCATION, and maybe cool it for a while. I even know some of you,…thought... Read more
Since as many as two of my readers have asked for pictures of my van (which I described here), here are some pictures of my van: You know what, I think one picture is enough. You get the general idea. Contain your jealousy! If anyone deserves to tool around rural southern New Hampshire in a vehicle this awesome, it’s me. As you will see, it is an intimidating vehicle, weighing in at two-and-a-half tons of pure kid-schlepping menace. If you... Read more
You know the old saw: writing is easy–you just sit in front of the keyboard and open a vein. But you don’t even know about pain until you try writing for women. Now, normally, I like women fine. I let them in my house; I let them eat at my table. I’d even let my son marry one, if she’s clean. Most of my women readers seem to be the robust and sensible type, who can take what they... Read more
I Have to Sit Down
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