Little known fact: My dad started teaching me how to drive (stick-shift) at age 12 and the first episode was an emotional disaster…for both of us.  I don’t think my Dad had thought this through.  He was introducing me to all aspects of driving (steering, braking and accelerating with a

Have you ever heard the expression, “Guess I gotta pay the piper.”?  It is often used about a situation where a price is paid that is considered too high or unfair, but failing to pay the price often results in dire consequences.  This expression is based on the story of

I was at a family gathering recently.  An elderly relative asked my teenage nephew, "So, what do you want to be when you grow up?"  My nephew looked over at me hoping I'd rescue him from the situation.  I didn't.  But I also recognized the pressure a teen can feel

I was at a Saturday team-building workshop two weeks ago with folks from a non-profit I work with, and in a small group we were invited to write down 5 questions to ask each other.  I received a total of 15 but only had to answer 2 (so it was

Most of you probably don’t know this, but my undergraduate major was geography.  That’s right, geography.  Is it because I love maps?  Well, actually, yes, I do, and my friends and family can tell you that my “go-to” present is always the most recent edition of the Atlas of the

Parents, In a recent essay in the NY Times, Frank Bruni, op-ed columnist and author, exploded the myth that getting into a highly selective school is the key to success later in life. In line with my recent blog, “Parenting and the Sinking of the Essex”, I would like to

Many of us have schedules packed so tight we don’t have room to eat a meal sitting down much less read a novel or go for a long walk. With work, family, friends and other commitments, our days, weeks and months speed by us. It is easy to get caught