Sometimes I feel relieved when children return to school, for very selfish reasons.  It is easier to shop without them dribbling basketballs in the store aisles. It is calmer without them loudly demanding that mom buy them treats at the checkout counter.  And it is certainly less crowded at the mall.  Even the Greek philosophers felt this way in ancient times.  Some criticized … [Read more...]

Summer is a time for us Minnesotans to soak up the sun and travel as much as we can.  Many of my childhood summers included a trip to Sioux City, Iowa, to see my cousins.  We lived every minute of the time we had and begged not to leave when Dad was packing up the car.  And, we were naughty — taking off on my cousin’s green moped to go a few blocks away to the candy store to … [Read more...]