Family

It’s a rare grandmother who doesn’t look at her grandchildren with concern about what the next few decades have in store. Will we continue on our path of growing disconnectedness from each other…

One year ago today I was fighting for my husband’s life as he spent 19 days in hospital with unrelenting abdominal pain. The nursing staff had grown weary of his presence and his care was deteriorating. In my mind, any day could be the last we might have together. Read More

As any grandmother will know, there are many sources of joy in the time spent with grandchildren. For me, a key one is teaching my grandsons something and seeing how they respond. Read More

Whether we need to tell our adult children that we’ve started dating, or our best friend confides in us that she has been diagnosed with cancer, we often find ourselves in the midst of a difficult conversation. Read More

The other day I was stunned by a news report I saw on TV. It described a month-long camp where parents can send their kids to unplug when they’ve become addicted to screen time. What?! Read More

You may remember this Baker’s Dough recipe from when you were a kid because before there was ever Playdough, there was Baker’s Dough. It’s the perfect thing to share over the holidays, especially if you are going to have kids running around. Honestly though, I know that adults love this one, too. Read More

How much time do you spend looking after your grandchildren? If you don’t live nearby, then it is probably decided each time you visit. But if you do live within easy distance, you may have a regular routine. Read More

Earlier this year, my 7-year-old granddaughter (B) talked with my wife about wanting “Popeye” – that is, myself – to build her a doll house. After a brief discussion, I thought I could do it but would not be able to start until September, when I was to retire. Read More

The funny thing about being a full-time artist is that you think everyone else is creating art too. At least planning to anyway. Fortunately, there are responsible people doing the jobs that we artists try to avoid. Read More

For many women, being a grandmother is one of the most wonderful experiences imaginable. Without the pressures of being a parent, you are free to enjoy your grandkids without pressure or expectations. Read More