-
Election Day
Today is the day we choose who will lead our country into the future for the next four years. Many of us have agonized over this decision. I am not alone when I say that I will be happy when the decision is finally made, regardless of the outcome, and this election that has so bitterly divided us as a nation is over and done. For many of us, this election has been so particularly hard because there are no clear cut “good” candidates. All of the choices presented to us from the primaries to this present general election were and are deeply flawed. There seems to be only bad…
-
It’s a Girl
When you wake up sun will shine. We will not go under any cloud. Let balloons go up in town, ring out every bell. Happy birthday, beautiful, all the birds of this day sing a song, sing a song. Dream of trains carrying you through the state parks with the cherry flowers. When you wake up it will be the beginning of the world. Happy birthday, beautiful, in the fields of this day hear a song, hear a song. Oh, undeserved sweetness and light, stay by my side. We will go out in the morning now, a crown of maple leaves, a crown of flowers circling your sweet head. Happy…
-
The 10 Most Overrated Things About Fall
Well, it’s that time of year again, folks. When all of social media is abuzz with the passing of summer and the approaching autumn equinox. I wish I could join in the excitement, but I am a summer gal – give me perpetual summer break, beach vacations, swimming pools, sun tans, flip flops, peaches, blueberries, watermelons, ice cream, sun dresses, and running through sprinklers. I get it, you all really hate the heat. But the heat isn’t a problem if you are righteously prepared with the proper clothing, a cool drink, and a refreshing body of water in close proximity. And I recently discovered after a family trip to Providence…
-
Observations from a Piano Bench
My daughter, Josephine, age 9, sat at her piano, practicing. She called to me from her seat, “Hey Mom! Did you know that a flat is sharp and a sharp is a flat?” “Say what?” “The black keys are both sharps AND flats! It just depends on what note you’re playing!” “That’s neat. So, based on your perspective, the same key can have two totally different names.” “That’s right! To A, the black note, or the sharp, is a big brother. But to B, the SAME black key is a flat. It’s a little sister.” Two things: 1. Having your kids learn a musical instrument is an education all by…
-
Let’s Ban #BanBossy
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and author of Lean In, and a bunch of other important people, are on a mission to ban the word “bossy.” They argue that the word is too often used as a negative label describing girls with natural leadership qualities. Really? I thought I was using it to describe someone, male or female, who is kind of a rude jerk. Before I rant about all that is wrong with this campaign, let me just state for the record that the campaign makes many points with which I actually agree. I am all for children, boys and girls, using their words to speak up and be…
You May Also Like
The Art of Subtraction
-
Unschooled by Stuart Little
“Everyone will now take his or her seat!” commanded Stuart. The pupils filed obediently down the aisles and dropped into their seats and in a moment there was silence in the classroom. Stuart cleared his throat. Seizing a coat lapel in either hand, to make himself look like a professor, Stuart began: “Anybody absent?”
-
Disappointing Your Kids
Parents today have too many pressures heaped upon them. We are bombarded with “expert” opinions and unrealistic expectations on how to raise perfect, well-adjusted, brilliant, beautiful, talented, morally immaculate children. It’s more than even our Bible heroes could achieve! Formulas abound. Plug in these variables and presto! Get perfect kids! As if raising children was as simple as following a recipe; baking the perfect kidcake with all the best organic ingredients. On top of all that, I see parents who will go to great lengths, moving heaven and earth in order not to disappoint their kids. They somehow, along with caring for their kids, feel responsible for their total and…
-
Well, I Did It
On May 21, 1927, American aviator Charles Augustus Lindbergh emerged from a single-seat, single-engine monoplane called The Spirit of St. Louis after completing a 33.5 hour non-stop solo flight from New York City to Paris. While many others attempted this feat prior to Lindbergh, it was the first time that such an endeavor was ever successfully completed. Lindbergh’s famous first words after his amazing flight were simply, “Well, I did it.” And though I haven’t procured a pilot’s license (Although my husband has! Way to go, Sweetie!) or completed any transatlantic flights, I have done exactly what I set out to do since my last post just three years ago. …
-
I…I Will Be Thin Again
Hi. My name is Angela. And I’m…overweight. There. I said it. I’ve actually known this for a while now. Now I am not saying this because I am fishing for compliments. I am saying this because I am finally coming to grips with it. I’m quite fascinated by this sudden realization, actually, because I’ve never struggled with my weight until now. Now, I am not grotesquely overweight or anything, nor am I considered obese. But I recently entered my weight, height, and age into one of those BMI calculator thingamabobs, and there it was. It very plainly and very clearly, albeit very politely, told me I was chunky and needed…
-
Suffering Better
I’m not big on New Year’s Resolutions. Yet, I find myself reflecting on some things as we enter 2010, thus leading me to a couple resolutions conclusions. 2009 was a really good year for the Buckland family in many ways. While it seemed that storms were raging all around us, we remained sheltered in what, at times, felt like a protective bubble. Our kids thrived, our marriage thrived, and our lives were, for the most part, pretty peaceful. During one of the worst economic crises our country has ever seen, Ren’s company also had its most profitable year. Oh, and Zoloft is AWESOME. But I’m sure that has had absolutely…
