It’s not about religion. It’s about being honest with yourself. — It was Christmas Eve, but it sure didn’t feel like it. The previous Christmas Eve, I’d watched a midnight Mass outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. I suppose it couldn’t get any more “Christmas” than that. But there had been snipers on the rooftops protecting us from an…

How I learned to let it grow — W e were very young when we first met. I was eleven, maybe twelve. It seemed they had only just entered the world. Back then, I was enamored by their delicate, sprouting innocence — almost translucent in their infancy. They made me feel that I was truly becoming a woman…

The death of George Floyd was a tipping point for me — I’ve never had much to say about racial injustice. Not because I don’t have opinions, but because I don’t feel qualified to provide an opinion regarding the subject. I’m a young, white woman. I don’t know what it’s like to be black. I’ve never lived in an American city. Growing…

How the bread-making trend shows that we’re all plugged in to the motherboard — I swear that I was ahead of the sourdough fad. Even though I birthed my first loaf just this morning, that slightly charred final product, which was gone by evening, took weeks of preparation to achieve. By week two of quarantine (just a guess, as I no longer have a…

Will ChatGPT and other AI tools make reporters obsolete? — Will generative AI replace journalists? Many in the business think so, if preventative measures are not taken. Others say it’s a tool for brainstorming and increased productivity. …

Changing your life requires sacrificing that which stands in your way. I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of time thinking about how much time I have left and whether I’m spending it wisely. I’m only 28, but I’m the oldest I’ve ever been and entering that…

We Have an Inflation Problem, and It’s Not Just the Economy — When I was a kid (and a little older than a kid) I believed that I could do anything I put my mind to. This was the greatest lie I was ever told. …

Invest in these 10 universal items and always look schnazzy — Lord knows I’ve spent too much on clothes. It’s funny to think back on the world 15 years ago and how we used to shop. Rolling up to Forever 21 with Mom, bopping around to the latest tunes, wading through racks and mounds of wrinkled garments, unperturbed by the aroma…

The best heroes are tragic — Life has always been a struggle for those who endure it. It comforts me to remember this when I’m feeling, as I am now, quite hopeless and overwhelmed by the troubles of the world. …