This Girl

I can talk. What would you like to know? Pick a topic. We'll discuss. Yes, I can talk. The problem is that so can my husband. And he is much better at it than I. But I don't mind. His love of conversation--and his skill at it--is one of the things that drew me to the big lug in the first place. But just as capable as we are at talking, we are capable of sitting in silence. And we don't think there is anything wrong with that. One of my favorite movie quotes is from When Harry Met Sally: (Harry, to Sally) "It is so nice when you can sit with someone and not have to talk." How true is that? I often joke with my husband when we are dining out that people can probably tell we've been married a long time because we are usually the only couple in the place not talking. Take note, fine, young newlyweds--some of the best conversation you will ever have will come from not conversing at all. Yes, as the old saying goes, silence is golden. After perusing other quotes a...

Granted, Jesus probably had something a little more spiritual on his mind when he spoke those words (thanks, St. John for sharing), but I cannot help thinking about how those words ring true for earthly Father-child relationships. **Caution--I'm going to get a little emotional here.** It has been seven years since my Dad passed on, and to this day, I still dread certain days of the year. For starters, the day I got that unforgettable phone call that will never escape my memory. I cannot get through that day without breaking down. Going home and having to face my Mom that night was probably the most intense and least pleasurable experience in my life. I always imagined more for my parents' retirement than one carrying on without the other. The two hardest workers I've ever known deserved the most peaceful and enjoyable time together after the last kid had left the house. After years of worrying how to put us kids through school were over. After years of working shift work an...

The housing crisis has now hit home for a local Robin family. Pat and Susan Robin are finding themselves suffering from nest arrest as they struggle to sell their single-room dwelling so they can move into more spacious quarters. Going with the age-old real estate mantra "location, location, location," the young couple chose the uniqueness of a bicycle tire upon which to build their humble abode. The location is not turning out to be as big a draw to home buyers as expected. "We thought we'd start out small," Pat said. "You know, get a little starter nest going. After our first baby, we planned on getting a bigger place." The Robins thought they would have more time on their wings, but Mother Nature had something different in store for the now family of 6. "When I laid that first egg, I thought, great, it's over. We can finally relax for a while," said Susan. But the very next day, the new mom found herself laying another egg. Then anot...