I’m trying something new this year. I signed my family up for a share in a CSA Farm.  Inspired by reading Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food and Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, I thought it the least we could do to try to eat more healthily and make our own… Read full post »

Although I am an ardent (& sometimes strident) feminist, I don’t accept the notion nor usually argue that someone’s gender should be the primary determinant for appointing someone to a job. Any job. Exhibit A: Palin, Sarah.

However, my reading of the Supreme Court Justices’ react… Read full post »

So...all you In Treatment fans...therapists, former therapists, patients, former patients, hairdressers, wanna-be hairdressers, and anyone having just a bad hair day...

What's the verdict on Paul's new hair-cut? 

I know, I know...I watch too much TV and YES, I AM AWARE THAT IT IS A TV SHOW and… Read full post »

Socialism has been quite the big news recently. “We Are All Socialists Now,” screamed the Newsweek headline. Salon’s Mike Madden writes, “Here Comes Socialism” just last week  and a New York Times Reporter asked President Obama if he’s a Socialist.

It’s… Read full post »

If you have not yet taken the quiz, please go back and take your best shot.

If you have taken the quiz, here's how it will be scored:

Please give yourself:

• 1 pt. for every correct answer to questions 1-10
• 
  
• 2 pts. for correct answers to
… Read full post »

Hi again, friends -

After an historic day, it's time to grab your beverage of choice and settle in for the night for a little bit lighter take on the Inaugural Action. Of course, once again, I failed to score (or being a tightwad, buy) tickets to any of the… Read full post »

Hey, OS friends,

I guess I'm cheating, but since I failed to land tickets through any of my less-than-deep connections, I am watching the Inauguration from the comfort of my couch.

So, please join me with your comments, thoughts, humor, whatever...

At 10:48 a.m., President-elect Obama and out… Read full post »

We all want to be perfect parents, don’t we?

I’m not talking about the uber-mom who makes her own baby food, nor super-Dad who not only coaches both kids’ soccer teams, but also invites everyone over for perfectly cooked steaks afterward. Nor am I talking about out-perfecting one an… Read full post »

I know, I know. We’re all supposed to be “above the fray” and renounce consumerism and all that. And, as much as I’d like to just avoid the subject and recommend that everyone send a “please don’t buy us anything and we are giving to charity” letter, I realiz… Read full post »

Hey, folks, it’s that time of year, again. Time for decking the halls, roasting chestnuts, and sharing the joy. Time to send season’s greetings and the yearly shout-out to friends and relatives, both close and long-lost.

Christmas cards. Holiday greetings.

First off, there is NO actu… Read full post »

In response to Zerry's Open Call, several OS bloggers have taken up the charge to Live Blog and report on voting, polls, and results in our states, particularly the swing states. Also, Liz Emrich, live blogger extraordinaire, will be hosting the OS Iron Pundit vs. Iron Stomach: Election Day Edition s… Read full post »

What to watch for in turning Virginia Blue on Election Day

I’m getting a jump start on Election Day live-blogging. On Tuesday, I’ll be canvassing and hope to bring you pictures/stories/whatever else in the evening. I thought I’d provide some background and perspective while we watc… Read full post »

In the best-selling book Freakonomics, economist Steven Levitt and journalist Stephen Dubner apply economic theories to everyday questions, study data patterns and come up with some interesting correlations.

Among the controversial social questions that Levitt asks and answers are:

^{Farmer's Market in Korcula, Croatia}

I love to cook. Really, I do. And I love food. You can’t grow up in New Orleans and not love to eat. But, lately, I’ve become tired of the whole thing. Cooking, shopping, preparing meals. Only to have 2/3 of my audience turn up… Read full post »

Per Wikipedia, The Sandwich Generation are a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children.

Merriam-Webster officially added the term to its dictionary in July 2006.

I am now officially a member of the Sandwich Generation. As it happens, I am not… Read full post »