Becoming a pet sitter/dog walker has been a sweet, eye opening experience — Last year I embarked on a new career — in addition to being a writer and freelance journalist, I started working for a dog-walking-slash-pet-sitting service and it has truly been both eye-opening, and a delight. At our house, we provide our pets with all the basics, but I had no…

And happy — I’m one of a number of Americans estranged from my parents. Occasionally I give an update on how that’s going, for anyone out there who’s considering going no contact, or anyone who’s gone no contact but is conflicted by that decision. I’m writing this now because the holidays have always…

The other night my husband and I went to a concert. It was somewhat unusual because as a rule, we don’t go to concerts that don’t offer seating anymore. We’re both over 50, and standing hurts after a while. But… The Struts came to Kansas City, the ticket prices were…

If you’re a GenXer, a Midwesterner, or in menopause, these hilarious and poignant essays will speak to you — Are you a fan of the essays of David Sedaris? Are you a GenXer? Did you grow up in a dysfunctional home? Were you a latchkey kid? Are you now facing down middle age? Do you know the unique frustrations of being a Midwesterner? Do you have to carry a…

Given the current political climate I often think about conservative women in this country and wonder why. Why attack other women? Why make yourself a victim instead of fighting for your own equality? Why would anyone want that? How does that even work? Suddenly, it hit me like a thunderclap…

There is a widespread misconception that abortion is a relatively modern invention, borne out of modern humanity’s supposed moral decay. Nothing could be further from the truth. …

US Abortions INCREASE one year post Roe — I’m not going to lie — these numbers surprise me. Generally in societies that ban abortion, abortion numbers do fall, but only slightly, since people nearly always seek abortion elsewhere, or access an illegal procedure. That’s not what’s happening in the US. This time last year, anti-choicers were crowing about…

You’re embarrassing the rest of us, and endangering all of America’s daughters — There’s a Twitter thread I keep returning to and re-reading, because I cannot get over how gob-smackingly self-hating it is on so many levels. It was started by a white, conservative Christian woman who fancies herself some sort of social media influencer, pushing the conservative lifestyle on other white women. …

The politics of strict parenting — I heard it a million times growing up, and it enraged me every single time. Whenever I’d ask my mother why I had to do something she’d reply, “Because I said so,” and that was supposed to be that. End of discussion. This kind of parenting works with some kids…