With a little help from Elmo — My husband is always at least a step ahead of himself, thinking his next great thought instead of finishing what he is doing. For this reason, we have lots of conversations about turning off lights, closing cupboards, and locking doors. Last year I had him paying a dollar every time…

Our kids have begun parenting us — “Watch, Daddy!” “Amazing, buddy!” “Look at this, Mommy!” “That was so cool, honey!” The video is old and grainy but the emotions couldn’t be clearer. Kids are taking turns jumping off a diving board in creative ways, beaming as we cheer them on. Wasn’t it just moments ago I was…

The long and winding road to becoming a writer — My parents had more or less lost interest in child-rearing by the time I came along, a decade after they’d already had three kids. My mother was dramatic and unpredictable which left me a little scared of the world. The 40-Year Fib Did a secret ever eat at you for so long you couldn’t take it anymore? This is mine.medium.com If I had a less-than-idyllic childhood, I’ve probably had a happier-than-average…

Why Can’t I Live in a Nice House Without Responsibility? — “This problem is the result of temperature changes and the soil you have here,” he said, pointing at the gap that had opened between the house and the porch, “I’d be willing to bet your foundation issues are extensive.” Extensive is contractor-speak for expensive. Silly us, carelessly leaving our house…