The archive

Every story, simmered slowly

31 stories about life after the kids leave home — written from a Virginia kitchen with a New Orleans heart.

It’s been a minute, but last week, I revisited something I had a negative experience with 25 years ago. We were at my friend’s home when the...

April 13, 20217 min read

Empty nesters already have a lot on their plate. So the last thing they should do is carry extra emotional baggage. It is always best to rid...

April 7, 202110 min read

I am just beginning to make friends with my parents’ favorite fruit, Alligator Pears. Here is the thing. There are numerous ways to get prop...

March 3, 20218 min read

Wouldn’t you agree that it is easier to be thankful when the terrain of our life is smooth and assists our movements? However, when the terr...

March 1, 20216 min read

I have learned that to love doing 10,000 steps every day, I just need to get up and attempt to do it! We all know that walking can improve o...

February 27, 20219 min read

My children heard only the first four bars of a new song when my daughter screamed. “Kevin! Do you hear that beat?!” I admit, the beat was f...

February 26, 20219 min read

Empty Nest Syndrome (ENS) can feel daunting, and as parents get closer to this phase of life, anxiety grows. ENS isn’t only about missing ad...

February 26, 20219 min read