There was a time when I used to enjoy reading Newsweek.  Then came the rise of 24-hour news channels and internet news sites, all providing stunning visuals and breaking news in real time. Weekly news magazines like Newsweek quickly became outdated dinosaurs   The only way for Newsweek to compete and try to stay relevant was to offer in-depth, thoughtful analysis.Read more about Newsweek’s Downward Spiral Continues[…]

I watched this show last night with my daughter.  Dear lord.  I love my pets, I truly do, but these folks were so, so, so far over the top in their obsessions with their dogs.  One man said, “When Wolfie died, everything that was special about me went with her.”   Is this guy serious?Read more about TV review: I Cloned My Pet[…]

A baby is a miracle that takes 9 months to grow and a lifetime to nurture….and then you go and name her “Blue”???  There oughta be a law against that. Truly. What is this crazy sickness that comes over people–especially celebrities–when they have a baby?  The quest to find a name that is “different” and “unique” andRead more about Bad Baby Names: Shame on you, Beyonce & Jay-Z[…]

I treated myself to a pedicure today, and went with one of my all-time favorite shades: I’m Not Really A Waitress by OPI.  It’s the company’s biggest selling polish, and for good reason: it’s the perfect shade of red with a nice shimmer to it.  Even my husband noticed. Not too shabby! It’s back toRead more about I’m Not Really A Waitress[…]

I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. While it’s admirable–and probably advisable–to periodically take stock of one’s life and consider those things you’d like to change, I think people put way too much pressure on themselves come January 1st. They start the year full of hope and promise and excitement, and within a week or so whenRead more about Looking ahead in 2012[…]

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.  ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it–always.” –Mahatma Gandhi

It was another wonderful Christmas again this year. I hosted a traditional La Festa dei Setti Pesci (The Feast of Seven Fishes) on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Dinner the next day. There’s nothing better than spending time with family, enjoying each other’s company, and being grateful for all of the blessings that have come ourRead more about Merry Christmas 2011[…]

I was out running errands tonight in the pouring rain with my youngest daughter. At one point, I explained why I was taking a slightly different route than usual: road conditions were slick and visibility was low, so I took a path that consisted of mostly right turns. It wasn’t the most direct path, but itRead more about Sage advice from an 11-year-old[…]

Had some unexpected excitement this past Thursday: the lint in my clothes dryer caught fire. I was VERY lucky.  I was home, standing right next to the dryer when it ignited, and I had a fire extinguisher close by.   I was able to put the flames out before the smoke got bad, and knew howRead more about Fire in the Dryer![…]