Way, way back when my daughter was in third grade (she’s in 6th now), she got to choose who she wanted to be in the Wax Museum. It was a biography unit—they were to research people in their library period, choose someone whose life or story inspired them, learn all there is to know, write … Continue reading Girls Are Funny (Period).
Everyone Growing Everyone
Some people stay with you. The girl in my fourth grade class who carried a purse, wore high heels and an occasional swipe of lip gloss. The skater boy with the hair in his eyes who in 7th grade made me snort with laughter all the way through my first public speaking assignment. People I … Continue reading Everyone Growing Everyone
Writer, Interrupted
I have a good friend who is more of a hippie than I am—more believing in afterlife and auras and juicing and in taking long, deep breaths. And while I guzzle coffee with milk and she sips lemon water, she talks a lot about a book called The Artist's Way. I know it well. I … Continue reading Writer, Interrupted
All Aboard the Millennial [sic] Falcon: Or, if The Force Awakens were a Broadway Show, it would be Hamilton
Stay with me while I work this out. Watching the new Star Wars movie with my husband and kids this weekend was a mess of long lines, popcorn and sticky booster seats. Kids having imaginary light-saber duels in the lobby nearly knocked me over. Aggravating, yes but exciting to see everyone so…excited. I didn’t realize … Continue reading All Aboard the Millennial [sic] Falcon: Or, if The Force Awakens were a Broadway Show, it would be Hamilton
It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to (eh, maybe I won’t)
When I turned 21 I cried all afternoon, tucked into the bay window of my college room, in the corner of the upstairs of my college house. Caught in between a waitressing shift and the mid-July heat of Waltham, Mass, I had taken the night off to have dinner at Joe’s in Boston and to then … Continue reading It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to (eh, maybe I won’t)
Shouts and Murmurs (and grumbles): Why I am A-OK with Lena Dunham’s Jewish Boyfriend or Dog Quiz
First, it is important that you know this. I read Jordana Horn’s fair and thoughtful reaction to Lena Dunham’s New Yorker piece before I read the actual piece. The entire time I read it, I thought, Right on! Yes! This! And was about to write as much on the comments thread when I took a … Continue reading Shouts and Murmurs (and grumbles): Why I am A-OK with Lena Dunham’s Jewish Boyfriend or Dog Quiz
“The Sort-Of Sequel to Knocked Up”
I am going to be 40 this year. And life’s been good to me so far. I have two children who have grown into the kind of people I most enjoy in the world, a kind and bright husband, and a career that is budding--bursting sometimes, but budding now with new ideas and new things … Continue reading “The Sort-Of Sequel to Knocked Up”
This Blog Belongs To…
Okay, here we go. So I set up this blog when I was waiting to see if I would get a book deal myself. It was a place to put my writing while I wondered (read: paced, worried, chewed nails) what was next for me professionally. In an instant, it became so satisfying to write … Continue reading This Blog Belongs To…
prizes, southern charm, and other things you get out of PARP week
Tonight my daughter was reading Sheila Turnage's superb Three Times Lucky when I rudely interrupted her. It was time for sleep. “There is a murder in this book, Mommy.” I had been in a hurry until she said that. I half sat down. I knew if I fully sat down it would scare her, make … Continue reading prizes, southern charm, and other things you get out of PARP week
From Where Shall My Help Come?
I was skeptical, but such is desperation. It makes us suddenly and deeply pious.
tin-can stilts 