I'm going to take a wild guess that most of us in the US are feeling frustrated with the freakishly bi-polar state of American politics right about now. I'd like to offer three suggestions to get American back on track. They all involve crossing the line. First, a...

I read a book recently called The Drowned Cities by Paolo Bacigalupi. It was one of the most well- written books I've read in a long time-- an intense page turner that combined believable characters with shocking situations, leaving me with something to think about...

Many years ago, I taught kindergarten at a private school. I had several memorable students, but one little girl stands out in my memory. I don't remember her name, but I remember her pictures. In those days, I wore colorful eyeshadow, and one afternoon she said,...

Have you ever thought about the prince? He comes out of nowhere. No name. No history. Nothing. He is tall, dark, and handsome. Her savior. But she! She has a history in every sense. She's been abused, cursed, and nearly killed. She ran away from home as a teenager and...

It's like a mantra.  I find myself repeating it inside my head, over and over, when things are hard. "It's going to be ok. It's going to be ok. (deep breath) It's going to be ok."  Like a constant drum beat behind everything I do. Last night I noticed a...

Last year was the winter-light version, but never fear! This winter is going to make up for it. As I drive my kids to school in the morning, I am very aware, as we slide to a stop in the middle of the intersection,  that my little car does not have the best...

I have only ever broken two bones in my body: my right pinky toe and my left pinky toe. I broke my right pinky toe in February, 2000, two days before I was scheduled to fly to Ukraine to adopt two children.  I was walking out of the bathroom and caught my toe on...

I have been a lot of things in my life. I've been called a saint, and have been spit on for being American. I've been slapped for being white, and kissed for being a girl. I've been seated beside an ambassador, and stood in line for food stamps. I've been admired as a...

A few weeks ago I went to see Hunger Games (again) with my kids. It was opening day in the dollar theatre, and we got the last seats.  The movie had already started and after my eyes adjusted to the darkness I found seats for my kids-- one here, one there,...

The best things in life are free. It's true. America is a free country, and I think it's the best. Birds are happiest when they can fly through the air, rather than being trapped in small cages. (At least I assume they are. I have not actually conducted surveys.) And...