My city burned last night. A peaceful protest highlighting the systemic injustices that led to the vicious murder of George Floyd descended into complete anarchy. As we sat watching the news late into the early morning hours, I was struck by fear. Fear of the unknown and fear of having no control. How can any […]

Last weekend, on a warm and sunny Saturday, three innocent people were shot in my Chicago neighborhood. In broad daylight. At a Peace Picnic with kids and families present. A fourth person was badly beaten. It was almost a mass shooting. To many outsiders, I’m sure our decision to remain in this neighborhood seems insane. […]

Yesterday was the day. The day we wait for all winter long. The day when we all know that spring is not far off! It was the kind of day that is chilly in the shade but too hot for a coat in the sun. The kind of day when the birds can’t help but […]

It was an oppressingly hot September day when we visited the cemetery. The brittle grass pricked our feet, the blinding sun torched the inside of the car, the air dried the backs of our throats. We were there to visit the graves of two women we never met, but who will forever be a part […]

I’m feeling a little anxious about Christmas. With six kids in a Chicago townhouse, we just don’t have any more room for any more stuff. I really do try to keep the gifts thoughtful and at a minimum, but even minimum x 6 = a lot. I hate that so much of this time of […]

Yesterday, with temperatures solidly in the 60s and sunshine galore, Evie, Juliet, Elinor and I joined 250,000 other people for the Women’s March here in Chicago. The presidential nominations, election and inauguration last year caused so much strife and turmoil in our good country, and I am exhausted from it. Marching seemed like a good […]

Evie’s class celebrated Black History Month throughout February, and even though we are well into April the lessons keep coming. She worked on a big project about Rosa Parks for weeks, and the other day she presented it to her class. She was so PROUD to tell me that it went great! I’m glad her […]

Last Sunday Chris had to work all day. He used to work every day of every weekend, so now his occasional day in the office really doesn’t bother me. Of course we miss him and of course we’d rather have him home on a Sunday, but we live in the middle of a huge city; […]

All summer the eco-geek inside me had been looking forward to August 1. That was the day when our fine city was to join the likes of Seattle, Portland and Boulder, CO with a ban on flimsy plastic grocery store bags. I was so excited… …until I realized our ban was no ban at all […]

Today was hot. And humid. And it is the tail end of summer so I am fresh outta ideas to keep the kids busy. After a dreadful trip to the park in the morning, I was in no mood to entertain the kids all afternoon. I was short with them. When Chris called at 4:30 […]