How much longer can he live at home?” — My mom and I left my dad at home the other day while we ran a couple errands. “I’m leaving. Don’t leave the house!” “Okay.” When we returned, my dad and their dog were nowhere to be found. I went outside and looked down the street. I saw my dad…

Now what do I do? — I have a recurring dream. I am trying to call a family member — my husband or my mom — but I can’t remember how to work my cell phone. I have urgent news to report and am desperate to get ahold of them, but I keep hitting the wrong…

How much do we need? — This post is not sponsored. In fact, manufacturers may pay me in the future not to write anymore. As soon as September starts to wane, I begin to see them. Those damn mums. As the weather starts to cool off, even slightly, every midwestern female — or most anyone, I’m…

Prompt #37: Fashion and the older body — The boots were torturing me. Half of my fourth-grade class had them. They were amazing. Shiny, black or white patent leather knee-high boots with a cute stack heel, although I didn’t know the term at the time. I only knew they were the best things I’d ever seen. …

Crow’s Feet Writing Prompt #36 I'm obsessed with watching “Queer Eye.” My favorite part is when they reveal the finished home that Bobby worked his ass off to complete. It's funny, because Bobby gets the least amount of air time, but he does the most work. …

I really am stumped — My oldest son, Jack, is moving from Madison, WI., to Seattle this week. His wife has a fellowship in pediatrics for three years, and then they hope to return to the Midwest. Jack is 28 years old. He lived with us after college for three years, while his girlfriend (now…

But they can blow your diet and your budget — There's nothing like a summer cocktail. So many fun, fruity flavors and bright colors. Sitting out on the deck, sipping cocktails with friends is one of summer’s greatest pleasures. But over the years, for me, the ill effects of alcohol have outweighed the fun. I've pretty much given up alcohol…

Except in one baffling respect — I just got back from a European vacation. We went to Ireland last month, and it was amazing. One thing I’ve noticed every time I’ve been to Europe — starting when I was 15 — is that, in many ways, people are treated with more respect than in the U.S. Lower Drinking Age: …

And one thing I didn’t — I got back from a ten-day trip to Ireland last night. I’m still kind of jet-lagged and woozy, but couldn’t wait to share my thoughts. I’d never been to Ireland before, and the only things I knew about what to expect came from watching YouTube videos about “what to expect…