If you’ve spent your life in education, you know September is the month of promise. Summer ends, and suddenly there’s a bright shining new year ahead of you. After weeks of togetherness, you’re ready to trade your biological children for someone else’s. First-day outfits, first-day ...

Dear Old Friend, It’s been a while. I confess that for years, I turned my back on you. We grew up together, playing with Susie, the girl down the street. One day I just drifted away, and I never said goodbye. I don’t think either one of us knew how long it would be until we crossed paths ...

Despite having the maiden name of Gardner, my thumbs are not green. People look at the flower gardens in my front yard and believe I know what I’m doing. They push my comment of “oh, I’m a lazy gardener” to the side as modesty. In reality, it is the truth. My flowers are ...

It was the late ’70s when I owned a Montgomery Ward Open Road Denim 10-speed bike. The handlebars were wrapped in denim tape, the frame was painted a powder blue, and the blue seat was stitched like a pair of Levis. Weeks were spent practicing until I could ride it with “no hands” ...

“How long do you need to keep your kids’ artwork until you throw it out?” This question was posed to me by a fellow mom, who shall remain anonymous. Just suggesting such a clean-out could, in some circles, demand security worthy of a witness protection program, even if the child has ...

“I married you for life, not for lunch.” I can’t remember the first time Bill shared this phrase, but it was early in our marriage. To his credit, it may be why we are still married after 29 years. Besides, what do you have to talk about if you are constantly together? We’ve ...