Suprise Me

Pauline’s life had been destroyed by mental illness and institutionalization. But what had happened to her children as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren? Was there a way to make something solid and meaningful from this tragedy? Read More

By Ginger Smith Bate Until Simon and I became parents, Father’s Day meant nothing to me. I bought my first Father’s Day card when my son was six months old. Since then we celebrate the day with a favorite meal, cards, and a couple of small gifts. I remind Julian the day before that he… Read More

I have tried buying smaller, light weight purses to spare my back. But that will only work if I don’t overload them until they are bursting with essentials that I can’t leave home without. Or so I think. I’m going to inventory the contents of my smallish summer purse. Here are the items that are… Read More

  Who was the cat? Just a bad book baddie?  Or was he something more. Who are these false crusaders who pull the books from our shelves, who interpret their bogus meanings without credibility or reserve.   In a day of dismal rain with a fish who only swims sat our two despondent children as… Read More

I first read the book when I was a teenager. It’s the only book I missed two meals to finish. I staggered out of my bedroom late in the afternoon after turning the last page. I’d been lost for what seemed like days in the lives of Scarlett, Ashley, Melanie and Rhett. My parents must… Read More

My most important summer experience was at Camp Rising Sun--a program devoted to scholarship, leadership, and international cross-cultural exchange. It was a life changing experience for me, and I am doing my part to keep the program going for future young people. Read More

…I am not thankful as much for them as I am to them… Read More

I was raised by a proud FDR Democrat, so it was only natural that I would become a liberal Democrat myself. Even at a young age, before I entirely understood politics, I was a Kennedy fan and supporter. (The title was his campaign slogan.) In elementary school, we came home for lunch. I remember watching… Read More

Inspired by John Zussman's republishing his story from the 2017 prompt "Let's Put On a Show." Read More

We could get credit for the golden boulder—if we could somehow transport it to the assayer’s office without getting robbed. Read More