The New Normal

Last spring, I lived by the mantra “this is not normal,” and like so many others, I rejected the idea that this pandemic would continue through the summer, let alone fall. Now it’s September, and life as we knew it continues to be shut down, forcing me to acknowledge and accept some new norms. And while I don’t want to return to much of pre-pandemic life, I’m not excited about residing in the current status quo forever, or even beyond next Tuesday. 

Pandemic Depression

My pandemic story has reached a new chapter. I made it through the house-wide purge, the gardening phase, the hiking phase, the biking phase, the manic cleaning, the blissful simplicity, Homeschool Part 1, wine consumption acceptance, the family road trip, and the family tragedy. I somehow skipped the sourdough stage. I have now achieved “high-functioning depression.”

“Into the Unknown”

A few years back, I wrote a little parenting piece that appeared in the local paper called “Let it Go.” I think it’s time for the sequel: “Into the Unknown.”

I’m Starting to Crack

I hit my proverbial wall last week. Not surprisingly, my downfall came following an epic quarantine birthday celebration for my now 9-year-old, complete with a surprise street party, her dream menu and a new bike. Why do highs always have to be followed by lows?

Adaptability Boot Camp

I was looking over my writing from the beginning of the year – from the “before” times – hoping to find some writing inspiration. My creative outlets these past 5 and ½ weeks haven’t extended much beyond chalk-art with my kids, and innovative cocktail-mixing for Zoom happy hours. But all I found were several journal-like entries on my need to be more adaptable. 

Slopestyle with the Quiters

It’s January 28 and my family has already clocked in 11 days on the mountain. And I mean full days, 9-4, with the exception of a 2pm quitting time on Christmas Eve and a mid-day movie break during a snowstorm. We do let the kids eat, though we prefer snacks to be consumed on the chair lift. After all the effort that goes into managing a ski trip for my family, I am not going to let a minute go to waste.

Guns suck

I often feel paralyzed by the gun violence plaguing this country, and after last week’s grotesque number of mass shootings – in Gilroy, El Paso, Dayton, Chicago, Brooklyn, and more – I was shocked to arrive at the park to find a dad distributing toy guns to about a dozen children and encouraging them to run around and shoot one another. 

Behind the Goggles

This past winter, I became that mom posting epic family photos from Tahoe. Adorable children decked out in their ski clothes striking cocky poses, parents beaming with pride, honest smiles beaming from all five faces.

A Love Letter to Jewish Summer Camp

I sent my eldest off to camp this past Sunday. Two weeks away from home – no parents, siblings, TV. Only two books, one stuffy, and an open heart and mind.

Lessons on the Picket Line

My second grader has only been out of school for two days, but I think she has learned more from the teacher’s strike than an entire year’s worth of social studies curriculum.