“Mommy, that man on the corner is homeless. Can we help him?” It is common for children to be curious about homelessness and panhandlers, as it can be hard to imagine that someone does not have a permanent place to…
In the days when it wasn’t considered proper to work or earn money, widowhood or other circumstances in which men weren’t in the picture might have forced women to choose between survival and respectability. In the years after the Civil…
Bad parent confession: We have never visited New York City as a family. Full disclosure: This bothers me more than it does my husband. With three children separated in age by six years, top to bottom, taking a bite out…
Creating a garden that attracts pollinators is beneficial for the ecosystem and fun for families. Plus, few things are as rewarding as watching a butterfly light on a flower or a bumblebee lumber from blossom to blossom. Pollinators require specific…
Don’t you just love a big family wedding? “Absolutely!” says my nephew, when the minister asks if he takes this woman to be his lawfully wedded wife. His answer is loud and clear, and the entire assembly chuckles softly and…
Collagraphs are handmade printing plates – usually assembled on cardboard – made from artfully arranged materials. Artists varnish the collagraph plates and let them dry. Then they ink them, and press paper to the surface to create a print. Let’s…
Things disappear when my 13-year-old son’s friend visits our house, and I don’t know how to handle it. I am convinced this boy is stealing things from our home. I’m talking about little things, but it only happens when he…
Strawberry and Asparagus Salad Wash 5 ounces of spinach, and place in a large family-style bowl. Cut 6 spears of the asparagus into 1-in pieces, slice 1 cup strawberries, chop 2 tablespoons cilantro, and measure out ¼ cup pine nuts.…
Late one Tuesday afternoon, in a stuffy committee room filled with lobbyists and legislators on the ninth floor of the General Assembly building, an enthusiastic voice rang out: “Woo-hoo for the bill!” Needless to say, this is not the type…
