A tear-drenched tissue — do I put it in the trash? Or into the recycle bin? I wondered, I’m widowed: are my tears recyclable? Read more.
DON'T MISS!
I've written hundreds and hundreds of posts over the years. To help you find your way to the best of the best, I've tagged my favorites "Don't Miss!" Scroll down here to find them.
Another way to locate Riffs on Life that you might enjoy is to click above on your favorite category – "My Ever-Changing Family," perhaps, or "Funny Button." You can also use the search box located way up top to hunt for stories by topic. There's fun reading at "garden," "aging," "kids" and, of course, "Jon."
Writing Retreat Report — I Got Some Work Done. Thanks for Holding Me Accountable
On my retreat I discovered that those columns I wrote as a young mom back in the 20th century have a lot to say to the 21st century. Read more.
Clarence Thomas, Anita Hill, Jon and Me
Clarence Thomas, Anita Hill, Jon and me — contemplating the perils and pleasures of office romance in the era of #metoo. Read more.
Kids Who Cheat. And Those Who Don’t
Kids who cheat and those who don’t: My husband was disturbed by what he saw — some kids playing touch football at the park, cheating. Read more.
The Night I Forgot to Make Dinner — A Rerun From the Archives
I planned a nice candlelit evening for my husband for that night, just as I’d dreamed of doing as a girl. Except I forgot to make the dinner. Read more.
The Feminine Feminist — An Oxymoron?
The feminine feminist — is she a contradiction in terms? Can a woman wear pink to the boardroom? Inch-long fingernails to the track meet? Read more.
It’s Spring and My Garden Looks Dreadful. Here’s Why
My garden looks dreadful. Here’s why. My plants won’t cooperate. The iris wants to be an iris. The azalea, an azalea. The poppy, a poppy. Read more.