Taking Pride in the Little Things
This morning, I was walking my dog Rosco and we came across a heavy-duty paper plate, torn in half and obviously abandoned by some trash-picking raccoon. For some reason, Rosco…
Where Have All the Manners Gone?
Look, I may have plenty of negative qualities, but I’m no prude. I can trade insults with the best of them and swear like a sailor on shore leave. But…
Close Encounters of the Wildlife Kind
You never expect this kind of thing. Running, after all, is supposed to be GOOD for you. So, it never (or almost never) occurs to you that it could be…
Rules Are Made to Be Broken?
A couple of weeks ago, I (briefly) sat down with my dad to watch a little bit of a women’s basketball game. Don’t ask me what league it was or…
Living in the Moment (When the Present Moment Sucks)
Buddhists, New Agers, psychologists, health professionals—they all seem to spout the same advice: True happiness comes from living in the moment. The argument goes like this: If you’re stressing over…
Chess for One
I’ve always been a loner. I’m okay with that. But recently, I’ve started to think the amount of time I spend alone verges on abnormal, and maybe it’s time to…
Magical Thinking
I may be working too much these days. I caught myself thinking the other day that I could really go for a short stay in the hospital. Nothing life-threatening, mind…
The Track Walkers Return
It’s that time of year again—the mystical, magical month of May, when every overweight person in my town decides now is the time to “get in shape” and descends upon…
Gum, Gum Everywhere
I’ve got to ask: What is with all the gum, people? Lately, whenever I’m out walking my dog, Rosco, it takes every ounce of my concentration to keep vigilant and…
Observations (Or, Crazy People Everywhere!)
I don’t know if it’s the warmer weather or if somebody has put crazy juice in the water lately, but I’ve noticed some strange behavior—more than usual, and that’s really…
Springtime Is the Worst
I know this won’t be a popular sentiment, but I think it needs to be said, just to get it off my chest. So here goes: Springtime? Is the worst.…
My Life Revolves Around Food
I noticed something the other day—something I probably should have noticed years ago: My life pretty much revolves around food. I plan everything, schedule my entire day, around what I…
Spring Is (Almost) Sprung
The sunshine is a liar. The buttery yellow glow, plus the knowledge that it’s now officially spring, by a couple of weeks, tells me to step outside after lunch for…
The Cleaning Lady Chronicles
Last week, I was talking about the woman who cleans our house and what an incredible luxury it is to have her. And it is—not only is our cleaning lady…
Cleaning for the Cleaning Lady
My dad and I have a woman who comes over every 2 weeks to clean the house. It’s the greatest luxury in the world, no exceptions. I’ll take a sparkly…