June 23rd, 2011 by admin
Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs
A True Story of Bad Breaks and Small Miracles
By Heather Lende
Published by Algonquin Books
978-1-61620-051-0
Description
After a near-fatal bicycle accident in her tiny Alaskan town, bestselling author Heather Lende has an opportunity to contemplate faith and friendship, observe the breathtaking beauty of the northern wilderness anew, and truly come to appreciate the remarkable inhabitants of Haines, Alaska, without whom she could never have recovered. Lende’s idea of spirituality is rooted in community, and her irrepressible spirit and commitment to living life on the edge of the world deepens our understanding of what links us all. Like her own mother’s last instructions, ”Take good care of the garden and the dogs,” Lende’s writing, so honest and unadorned, offers profound lessons to live by. Here she reminds us (courtesy of Ralph Waldo Emerson) that “the proper response to the world is applause.”
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May 26th, 2009 by admin
By Tammy Kling,
Co-Author of The Compass
Standing at a kids birthday party one saturday, I overheard a mother use the words before kids . . . to start a sentence. “Before kids,” she went on to say, “it seemed like we had a lot of money!” The other parents chimed in, nodding their heads. “Before kids” . . . another mother said, “I used to run triathlons.”
Rediscover who you are Read the rest of this entry »
March 31st, 2009 by admin
Stay-at-home moms often complain that since having children, their minds have turned to mush and they often forget things. One of our moms, Krissy, told us, “I was appointed PTA vice president once. I set up an orientation meeting for the previous year’s board and the incoming board. Everybody showed up for it — except me!”
Yes, moms do forget things. We’ll admit, there is truth to this, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Your mind is agile and efficient, and if you want to be more alert and have more intellectual stimulation, the only thing standing in your way is your own perceived limitations. Last year, Heather and her husband actually forgot their anniversary! It shocked both of them. Between work, the kids’ school commitments, friends, and family, it was lost in the shuffle. Often forgetting a big event like that is a wake-up call that you need to give your schedule and organizational methods (and possibly your relationship with your husband) more attention. It is also important not to be too hard on yourself when you inevitably forget. Read the rest of this entry »
April 8th, 2008 by admin
Parents and their children should know what to do if they become separated while on vacation. Prepare before you go and make sure every family member knows the plan. Read the rest of this entry »
March 24th, 2008 by admin
If you’re planning a day trip with your family, you’re liable to bring either too much or too little stuff. No one wants to feel like they’re reenacting the Western Expansion complete with a wagon train, but it’s also incredibly frustrating to find yourself an hour or two along a trail without a diaper for the baby. Read the rest of this entry »
