We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. -Cynthi Ozick Tomorrow is one of my favorite holidays, when many of us gather to celebrate food, family, and friends. Almost 400 years ago, 50 English Colonists and more than 90 Wampanoag Indians started the tradition when they shared an autumn harvest…
Months ago, as we watched our kids ride bikes, scooters, and tricycles back and forth in front of our houses, my next-door neighbor told me about a social networking site called i-Neighbors. I filed it away in my disorderly mental index of things I may someday investigate. I finally remembered to look at it recently,…
I love cold weather, but the shorter days are always difficult for me to adjust to. Over the years I’ve stored up a toolbox of activities to make cold, winter nights more fun. I find myself especially in need of them in the days and weeks after the time changes. 1. Eat by candlelight We…
My family is doing an experiment in car-free living. We’re considering going car-free for the winter, mostly because our only car needs major repairs, and it’s too old and unreliable to sink much money into. We want to save money to buy a better, more efficient vehicle next year, and the best way we can…
Anyone who’s spent any time with my son Ezra in the last six months has heard about his favorite food: “Hookies!” (The rest of us call them cookies.) Ezra turns to me at least a dozen times each day and says with the utmost seriousness: “I need a hookie.” Dog, Bear, Turtle, and Seal eat…
Most of the new parents I know are anything but negligent. They take their toddlers to storytime and enroll them in swim courses, dance classes, and music lessons. They serve fresh vegetables, read picture books, learn baby signs, and take workshops in infant massage and child development. A storytime leader at my local library jokingly…