Tag Archives: motherhood

Lobbing Nerf Rocks

Posted on December 1, 2012 by

At a workshop I attended recently, Emmy Laybourne, author of the Monument 14 series, shared a rule, well-known among screenwriters, that I had never heard before: “Chase your character up a tree and throw rocks at him.” It’s smart advice: … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Libraries, Motherhood, Volta, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Perfect Whole, Superstorm Sandy Edition

Posted on November 1, 2012 by

We are grateful to have come through the storm safe and well, with no property damage, though I did not at all like the threatening looks one old, majestic oak was casting in the direction of my dining room. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Libraries, Motherhood, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Girl on the Garden State Parkway

Posted on September 1, 2012 by

A few years ago, I was driving north on the Garden State Parkway after attending a full-day graduate class. I was tired, and the trip home would take well over an hour. I harmonized with the radio to keep awake. … Continue reading →

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What We Got for $140,000

Posted on June 15, 2012 by

Tomorrow, my daughter graduates 8th grade, bringing an end to her twelve years of Waldorf education. She’s been a student at Green Meadow Waldorf School since she was three years old, longer than she can remember. To her, Waldorf school … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Motherhood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Common Ground in the Culture Wars

Posted on June 2, 2012 by

Because we’re addicted to silly arguments and trumped up controversies, and because the most sophisticated move we seem able to make as a culture is forcing every issue into two, and no more than two, warring camps, lately we’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Criticism, Motherhood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

The Overthrow of the Queen

Posted on March 15, 2012 by

When my daughter Grace was in the second grade, she staged a small, gentle revolution against a powerful person. Now 14 ½ and in eighth grade, she wrote the following memoir for an English assignment: The Small Rebellion By Grace … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Motherhood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Turret

Posted on August 1, 2011 by

 The Turret The house, the one I will never have, is a Queen Anne Victorian with a large wraparound porch, a Painted Lady with gingerbread trim, oddly-shaped windows, and stained glass.  It features little rooms that pop up in unexpected … Continue reading →

Posted in Motherhood, Volta, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

It Still Really Feels Like A Soul in Here

Posted on July 16, 2011 by

My teenage daughter suffered a minor head injury in a swimming pool this week, and felt dizzy and lethargic afterward.  I debated taking her to the emergency room, but opted for the pediatrician who was covering for ours that day. … Continue reading →

Posted in Volta | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Happy Organized Home Sale or How The Container Store Endangers Your Immortal Soul

Posted on July 1, 2011 by

Believe me when I say that I had no choice but to go The Container Store yesterday.  My daughter’s jewelry-making supplies scattered all over her floor made walking from the door to her bed hazardous, and I had shopped everywhere … Continue reading →

Posted in Volta | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments