When my big brother saw me without glasses for the first time in a half century, his reaction took me by surprise. Read more.
My Ever-Changing Family
Meet my changing, shrinking, growing family. Here you'll find stories of married life, little kids, grown-up kids, the empty nest, cousins and ancestors, aging parents, and the view from the second half of life.
Is an Istanbul Trip Too Risky for You? Here’s What You’re Missing
Jon and I took the kids to Istanbul back in 2009. What we experienced was a energetic culture with a rich past, great food and beautiful people. Read more.
Scaling the Mighty Willis Tower — With My Acrophilic Husband
The 108-story Willis Tower is my husband’s kind of place. I first noticed Jon’s acrophilia early in our romance, when we took a trip to Europe. Read more.
A Midwestern Flower Garden — Beautifully Dead In the Dead of Winter
I couldn’t wait to head outdoors to see how my favorite flower garden was faring under a half foot of snow and temperatures below zero. Read more.
‘Dog Medicine’ — A Dog-Lover’s Journey From Depression to Health
I’m not crazy about dogs. But I am crazy about a book called “Dog Medicine.” (“Soulmates” photo by Heather Knape.) Read more.
Mom With Kids — The Home Office Blues
I liked being shoehorned into a 9-by-11-foot home office with three computers, a telephone, a cat, and a dear husband — most of the time. Read more.
The Center of the Universe Lives at Our House
Children run the world. And everyone who’s ever had a kid knows it. Read more.