Emma saw me working on this post for another blog where I freelance (and I mean freelance), and she convinced me to come out of blog exile (...

The walk to school on the first day, Aug. 23. Indulge me here. I know, I know. The first day of school was last week , and I honestly had t...

Dear Grandma, Thank you for the package! When Mom and I came home from a meeting it was fun to see a box under the door mat. Mom was r...

Gardening has taught me appreciation despite flaws. Gardening has taught me to look at an expanse of land for what it can become, to see ...

... from a room away you can HEAR the difference between a crayon and a Sharpie permanent marker in your 2-year-old's hand.

Photo: Elise, James and my mom, Shirley Ann, showing a special music box. Christmas 2009. Happy Birthday, Mom! In your honor of your 60...

Ann, 91, and Samuel, 1 -- July 2009 Ann, 88, and Elise, 4 -- August 2006 Grandma Ann, my 92-year-old neighbor, died this spring. I...