Jillosophy

A gleeful, far-right conservative and a glum, bleeding-heart liberal walk into a coffee shop… Sounds like a set-up for a joke, right? But it was

It’s as if I’m cradling a lumpy sack of potatoes, heavy as a watermelon. My arm, with its withering bicep, starts to ache where her

We’d decided to spend election night in Verona at our daughter’s and son-in-law’s house. The next day was our granddaughter’s 4th birthday, and we reasoned

Door County, Wisconsin is a tiny finger of land jutting out into Lake Michigan’s northwestern coastline. It’s a gorgeous area made up of small, charming

On this Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share some thoughts about love that may be different than a typical Hallmark movie. The following guest post

My 90-year-old neighbor Gerry died last month. We’ve lived next door to him and his family for more than thirty years. At the church service,

My friend Mandy is a woman of many gifts and one of the smartest people I know. In our small group of girlfriends since junior

Fair warning: If one more person, no matter how well meaning, tells me, “Well, at least it’s pretty,” my snow shovel may turn into a

I’ve looked up to my big brother Mike my entire life. And I’ve had plenty of reasons to do so. A natural leader, as well

A few months ago, the wheels fell off my somewhat-organized life due to some major health setbacks my Mom suffered and continues to address. But

She’s baaackkk! The Witch has assumed her position on the front porch, as is her annual tradition. She’s been preparing for the trick-or-treaters who will

I haven’t posted in a while, not since I returned from my Camino trip. And while it’s been a terrific summer, I wish I could

We were standing on a busy street corner, cars whizzing past us as we desperately searched for even one of the many yellow arrows that

Our longest day yet. We were exhausted when we got to our hotel. But so very happy. Some highlights: We met another herd of las

I hit the wall this day, mentally and physically. Kent, too. And it wasn’t like it was our longest day, either. But this day, in

First, I think it’s only fair to point out that our daily mileage count comes from Kent’s pedometer (and if you know Kent, you know

We were the only people in the hotel dining room at 8:00pm on the eve of our Camino, having decided on an “early” dinner since

Our first day on the Camino began like an Edgar Allan Poe poem, or something out of an Alfred Hitchcock movie. A chill permeated the

Why is our train going backwards? The announcement over the PA system provided no clues. The rapido delivery of the announcer was no match for

Rising inflation and the last several weeks of a market downturn have some folks really worried. This, despite signs that our economy is beginning to

It’s always darkest before the dawn. That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. You’ve heard inspirational quotes like these before and you’ll no doubt

Thousands of us waited anxiously, hoping and praying that “Bucks in 6” would go from slogan to reality. Millions more watched as 65,000 people jammed

Three years ago today, I pushed open a heavy door with clammy, shaking hands. The dimly lit room was warm, the scent of antiseptic and

In my family, birthdays are celebrated with a lovely meal, ice cream instead of cake, a few well-chosen gifts and wine. This year was a

I have never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. Instead, every year during my springtime birthday is when I’ve tended to create new

I’m walking along my usual path through a familiar forest. It’s almost sunset on a late winter afternoon and I’m alone, hiking through knee-deep snow

My husband and I got into a fight. He yelled at me, I yelled back at him. And then, silence. For a full day. When

There were mostly middle-aged white people, residents of the city in which I live, congregating on the front lawn of city hall when I arrived

We all make mistakes for which we should all be forgiven,” our yoga teacher announces as class begins. “This morning, I am choosing to forgive

Virtual Seder meals. Drive-through church services. Zoom happy hours. FaceTime reunions. Many of us are valuing time with family and friends now more than ever.