I was given a writing assignment for a class project in 7th, or 8th grade (I think) and I spent days erasing, crumpling and re-writing endlessly lined pages of, nothing.

I couldn't get passed working up even an outline.

I remember becoming very frustrated and - throwing my notebook into the bottom drawer of my bureau, thinking that I would probably make a lousy writer - deep down inside, I believed there was a voice to be heard.
… Read More

Remember when Tuesday was Prince Spaghetti Day - "Aaaaaanthonneeeee..." - well, every Sunday we pack up our family of six and head over to Mama's house for a helping, or two, of her homemade chicken soup.

Ever since my children (and I) could remember we would be greeted to the comforting smell of a pot of soup, that had already been cooking for hours, and all four of her grandchildren were sipping chicken soup from their teething spoons since… Read More

As a parent -- not to mention, a tired, and wigged-out older than most mommies, I know, in serious need of some uninterrupted sleep -- I take my bragging rites, seriously.

"Yes, they are all mine and I'm just as surprised as you are!"

I can't help it -- they are such magnificent little creatures, it's hard not to wonder just how in the heck anyone (or, higher being) could ever expect, I could be their mother -- it's hard to ignore… Read More

My father and mother stopped over unexpectedly, last night, while my youngest daughter and I were in the middle of an exercise tape.

"What are you doing?"

My youngest daughter placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips in a very annoyed way.

"It's called Yoga, Papa!"

My father shook his head.

"That's it, now the whole family is screwy."

I don't know if it was because of the late hour, the… Read More

Mother's Day is just around the corner and - although, I believe that we should be allowed to celebrate our mothers (and fathers) more often - I have never asked for much more than being able to stay home long enough to enjoy a quiet breakfast in bed and then it's off to the grandmothers' houses we go.

To expect anything more would sort of get lost in the shuffle, anyway.

Imagine my surprise to find an … Read More

I am a compulsive person, but - although I can also be a wee bit obsessive and perhaps a tad on the neurotic side, at times - it doesn't necessarily make me a bad person.

"What's up with Mini-me's socks?"

[blank stare]

"Oh well."

Being the youngest of 4 children -- not to mention the last in a line of lovingly used hand-me-downs -- my husband and I sort of blew off the fact that my… Read More