I have described myself as a packrat. There are things I have difficulty parting with. If I didn’t have it before, I am sure I caught this affliction from my mother-in-law. When she lived on a farm she told us, when she died, to burn down the shed because she was embarrassed about its contents.…

I am not Ms.Fashionality opting for function over form, nine times out of ten. My favorite shopping spots are LL Bean, Lands End and the clearance racks at Talbot’s. In my best attempt to keep my kids out of therapy, I read all the books and learned never to criticize their weight, hair or clothing.…

I am pulled to handpainted yarn with an attraction as strong as a rare earth magnet. In a yarn shop it gloms onto me, the only thing able to separate us being pair of knitting needles. I like patterns that highlight the colourplay of variegated or self striping yarn, hence my affinity for the Herringbone…

As a working mom of three kids I learned, almost too easily, that my priorities were not in my house keeping. However, we have a condominium in Washington that we rent out by the week, and we take responsibility for cleaning it between rentals. When my children were old enough to help out I explained…

The security guard at the park in Bellingham had quite the story to tell when he got home from work the other night. It was after dark, his shift about to end. Taking the guard dog out for one last pee for the night, he spotted a vehicle in the parking lot. The windows were…

It was a wonderful week with the prefect re-entry back into the noisy real world. When my kids returned from camp or a class trip I always asked them for the highlights – what was the best part and what was the worst. Often on the bus home they’d be preparing the answer to my…

I’m "out of touch" for New Year holiday, somewhere without phones or computers. Somewhere where it is so quiet, all I heard last night was a pack of howling coyotes. Just me and my knitting. To those who are waiting, thank you for your patience, I will send you a copy of my pattern when…

My husband’s family follows Danish tradition for special occasions. This means they drink that fire water also known as Akavit. That caraway flavoured stuff that burns all the way down and continues to smolder in your stomach, requiring the taste and soothing temperature of cold smoky fish to trick you into thinking you want some…

In my career and in parenting I’ve learned about picking my battles. You have to save your fighting inclinations for the things that are worth warring over. Now, I have a 16 year old and plenty of battles from which to choose. So, when he announced his intentions of sleeping on the sidewalk in front…

Can someone please tell me what Gracee is doing? Our pup can’t eat without extending her leg as in this picture. It takes her a fair bit of effort, circling the bowl, to get into this strange but apparently comfortable position. Chuck’s theory is that she suffers from some sort of cramp, necessitating her acrobatics.…