Author Archive

I’m not Scrooge and I’m not the Grinch, either—but December is enough to make me feel like one of those guys. It’s only December 6, and I’m feeling sick and tired of this month. Could we schedule anything else? Seriously. I cut back on parties and try to simplify, just like nice mommy articles suggest.... Read More »

Halloween scares me. Of course, I’m scared of lots of things—poverty, cancer, rape, gang violence, Satan, etc. I thought I should admit that up front.  Make of it what you will. 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

When my neighbor four-doors-down called last night and asked if I could take dinner to my neighbor three-doors-down, I said yes. I’m a Mormon mom: dinner for a single, middle-aged man is no problem. It was the circumstances that made me pause. 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

My son was none-too-thrilled to realize last night that by next General Conference he will be twelve and *get* to go to a two-hour meeting with his dad. We thought that reviving my husband’s tradition 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

Someone feels the need to tattle on us to the bishop every so often. 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

“Usefulness” was a coveted characteristic 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

My friend was recently invited to an LDS bridal shower, and the invitation came complete with the bride’s personal measurements and sizing. Call me old-fashioned, prudish, and conservative, 1 people like this post.Like  Read More »

So, what with Utah’s poor Iowa Test scores, I’ve had a few people asking me how I turned all my children into such voracious little readers. “Did you read to them every day when they were little?” friends query. “Why, no. Of course not,” I respond. “I’m much too selfish for that.” 0 people like... Read More »

The 1980s hit “You’re the Inspiration” makes me think of metallic streamers, balloon arches, and poorly permed hair, 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

Are good manners gospel? I’m wondering 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

My mom sent me an LDS mothering book on contentment for a Mother’s Day present. (Yeah, I know. What’s my mom doing sending me a present for Mother’s Day? She’s really awesome like that.) I’m on chapter three and not particularly loving it, but 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

“Make Strawberry Wine” (Woman’s Exponent, “Household Hint,” May 1, 1873) 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

I’ll be attending a wedding later today. The couple will be married in the church, and a new baby will be joining them somewhat sooner than later. For a faithful LDS family, this is difficult. 1 people like this post.Like  Read More »

My 13-year-old daughter came down with Bell’s Palsy last weekend. I was reeling a bit from the diagnosis 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

When I was growing up, “woman” meant “woman” and “man” meant “human.” Or “man.” Depending on the context. 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

I ran across this Relief Society moment in the March 15, 1873 Woman’s Exponent. Maybe it will make you smile, too: 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

“And again, it shall come to pass that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto death, shall be healed. He who hath faith to see shall see. He who hath faith to hear shall hear. The lame who hath faith to leap shall leap.” (D&C 42:48-51)   0... Read More »

5-year-old son: Mom, he hit me with his backpack! Me: Did you hit your brother? 11-year-old son: No. 5-year-old: Yes, he did! He did! 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

Seven Storey Mountain is Thomas Merton’s autobiographical account of his increasing restlessness with a worldly life. He converts to Catholicism and eventually enters one of the most strict (the strictest?) Catholic orders: a Trappist monastery. What has fascinated me 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

Enjoy that Thanksgiving turkey . . . while you can. You may be a vegetarian during the millennium. 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

A few months ago, a sister in our ward asked my daughter to babysit. On a Monday evening. That’s right. Monday Evening. We try to be diligent with family home evening on Monday night, so the answer needed to be “no,” but I was a bit confused about how to convey that message. ... Read More »

Just kidding about the “often” part. Are you an early voter or a procrastinator? Here’s why I voted early: 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

Polygamy was a topic for persuasive prose, not poetry in nineteenth century Utah. 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

Most everyone I’ve talked to loved President Uchtdorf’s talk at the General Relief Society Broadcast. But I have a question (and yes, men, this is for you, too—since I assume that as a son of God, you also get joy in following the Father’s example of creation and compassion): 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

The little historian in me cheers for small things, such as correct phrasing. At the General Relief Society Broadcast on Saturday, September 27, Sister Barbara Thompson 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

The church issued a statement about alcohol laws in Utah. The last paragraph reads: “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that Utahns, including those who work in the hospitality industry, can come together as citizens, regardless of religion or politics, to support laws and regulations that allow individual freedom of choice while... Read More »

I freely admit that I’m not the funniest person in the world, but I do think I have a sense of humor. I like a good laugh as much as anyone. Or perhaps I should say, “I like a good laugh as much as anyone who is LDS.” 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

“I seriously doubt whether there will be anyone in the celestial kingdom who is not kind.” “An important measure of our efforts for the celestial kingdom is how we treat others.” (Elder Jensen, Regional Conference meeting, September 7, 2008). 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

This morning I heard a member of Utah’s delegation to the Republican National Convention tell a radio talk show host that “there is a really special feeling among the Republican delegation.” Could you run that by me again? 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »

Between loving fresh vegetables and an assumption about gardens being “doctrine,” I find myself planting every spring and harvesting what the bugs didn’t nibble in the summer and fall. Except for a few condo-living years when dirt was a scarce commodity, I have planted religiously. But 0 people like this post.Like  Read More »