The New Domesticity: Words of Wisdom
“Act smart and be respectful!” It started as a joke. My sister and I adored the 1985 “Anne of Green Gables” miniseries and committed many favorite lines to memory. One of the more memorable was the snippy dictum issued by Mrs. Blewett to
The New Domesticity: Bringing Forth
When the snowball bushes bloom in May, I am once again a 5-year-old in long brown braids and a gingham dress. Tucked away in my childhood backyard, I seek the shelter of the flowering bush. Buds explode in a riot of white, each
Renaissance Dad: No Chain-mail Required
Honor [on’-er] verb 1. regard with great respect. synonyms: highly esteem, admire, defer to, look up to, think highly of. Back in the old days, it was easy for us guys to show honor to our wives. Just don your armor, hop on your horse, and
How Moms Do It: Transitions Between Home and Work
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 73 percent of mothers today work outside the home. Still, many moms leave the workforce or reduce the number of hours they work while children are young, often returning to work later on. These work
Mac Potts: Local Musical Prodigy Shares Love through Music
Mac Potts was born with music inside of him. He recalls playing with musical toys as a young child growing up in Kalama, and listening to any cassette tape he could get his hands on. He says, “Music has always
Relationship “Connectication”
For human beings in every part of our society, and especially between couples, great value is placed on clear communication. We all want to be understood. At some level, we all want to be known. We are Brenda and Gil
Renaissance Dad: Love Means Never having to Wear Hiking Boots
Spring sunshine creeps through the curtains, throwing lacey shadows across the thick comforter of our hotel bed. Victoria, the amazing woman who became wife on this very morning, years ago, appears with a tall, steaming carafe of coffee. Ah, my life
The New Domesticity: February Twilight
When my children were young, I regularly encouraged the memorization of seasonal poems. We’d delight in the rich autumn days as we envisioned Helen Hunt Jackson’s lines, “From dewy lanes at morning / The grapes’ sweet odors rise,” or we’d
Grandparents Raising Grandkids
Becoming a parent is a life changer for anyone. In some cases, though, parents face challenges that totally hinder their ability care for their children, whether due to mental illness, death, incarceration, substance abuse, or poverty. This is where grandparents
The New Domesticity: Sheltering the Family
“We need to go back to Number 17.” My husband looked at me quizzically. “That very spot?” I assured him that only Number 17 would do. It was magical. It was sacred. It was our place. I batted my eyes