Think of this, perhaps, as a sketch of something I'm still working out: The door jamb between our kitchen and the laundry room is unpainted on one side, littered with pencil marks -- initials, dates, hash lines that predate our moving in. It was one of the things clear in my imagining of our future, … Continue reading Underpainting.
I have been longing to return to the routine of the school year, back from the chaotic pace of a particularly unpredictable summer break. I have been waiting to return to regular carpool, homework, dinner at 6:30, bedtime at 8:30, making lunches and having a sense of command and control. I have been looking forward … Continue reading The green, green grass.
When my son was in junior kindergarten his class took a field trip to the zoo. He enjoyed the day but was upset with me for not having given him money to buy a souvenir at the gift shop. "You have plenty of toys," I told him, "and you don't even play with all of … Continue reading Ceci n’est pas une pipe.
"I swear, I'm going to post an ugly picture of myself just so everyone can see my NOT perfect life and how FAKE this all is."friend's recent Facebook entry Growing up I had a mighty struggle with the superficial prettiness required in the South. My master plan, when I graduated high school, was to leave … Continue reading Being real.
When your child says, "Whoa, Mom, look at what your computer is doing!" you should not expect good news to follow. Note for your records that a fried CPU may result in a screen that looks the way static sounds, that chronic overheating may result in a fried CPU, and that an extra dusty house … Continue reading Clean slate.
This week's Princeton Alumni Weekly features a piece by Anne-Marie Slaughter written as a follow-up to her widely distributed and much discussed piece published in The Atlantic this summer about women's ability (or lack thereof) to "have it all." Reading her report of the both criticisms and praise she received in response to her article … Continue reading The all-you-can-eat buffet.
Several years ago I was working on a strategic plan for a local non-profit, spending two or three long afternoons each week with the executive director as we plotted the steps toward a long-term vision. Each Thursday or Friday when we finished for the week she would ask about my weekend plans. "I have GOT … Continue reading Practical life.
