Thankful
I am. So very thankful. This year, in particular, I’m thankful for my family, both those I live with and will spend tomorrow with, and those who are scattered all around and will be gathering for themselves. I wrote those three lines on Wednesday, intending to get back on and post pictures for a not-too-wordy Wednesday post.  Or, if it was late enough, I would have posted it for Thursday. And then whatever hit my four-year-old for 12 hours on Wednesday hit me.  Much harder. Thanksgiving Day rolled in with me huddled on a toilet, hugging a bucket.  You know the drill (and if

For the Love of St. Nick
When my dad remarried in my high school years, our family started a tradition I’d never heard of:  putting our shoes out on the evening of December 5th, in anticipation of St. Nicholas’s feast day on the 6th.  As far as I know, my little brother and sister — now 12 and 15 — still do this.  My girls will put out shoes too (Daddy’s shoes, because they’re bigger). What I love about this feast of St. Nicholas is that it transcends some of the boundaries between my non-Catholic family and me.  They’re curious and they respect my devotion to Mary (I often wonder if they read my columns while rolling their eyes in frustration), but

Joy from Mary
I grew up at a camp, and I could regale you for hours with tales about the adventures that brought to my childhood.  I know a host of sing-along songs, and I can’t see anyone with their elbows on the table without the tune to one of them starting in my head. As I grew older, went away to college, became wise to the ways of the world (or so I thought), I began to disregard a word I had

Hodge Podge
Today’s a big game day if you’re a Buckeyes fan.  We play The Team Up North. And you know what?  I’m really out of it this year, not really caring about football.  I’m struggling to keep up with my life, balancing a few balls in the air, and failing to remember when it’s Saturday and I need to have my game day face on. When I listened to the interview

Seven with Sarah Bauer
Today’s Quick Takes are all about one of my favorite musicians, Sarah Bauer. Sarah, thanks so much for taking the time to be with us today.  I have been really inspired by your music.  What inspired you to pursue music full-time? I have always loved to sing, ever since I was a little girl.  I started out singing on the fireplace for stuffed animals and that love never went away.  By the time I was in junior