Countless benefits accrue from having an opera singer around the house. So many occasions are embellished by the recitation of a few choice operatic lines. For instance, when your kid receives a Viking hat from her Norwegian American cousins, you can cue the opera singer mum to call out a battle cry or two [...]

Original photo credit: The Windgrove Center, Tasmania, AU.
In celebration of the 100th post, part six in a ten-part series.
I’m a female parent who (a) didn’t give birth, but (b) is partner side-by-side with one who did, and (c) is in some ways nearly as mannish as I am womanish. As a result, more [...]

The careful observer will note that this Aztec warrior is not bearing a fainted virgin in his arms, but instead an infant car seat, a far more precious and mysterious treasure. Actual original here.*
The other day, when all of Christendom was gathering around their various hearths, slogging back wassail and singing songs of joy [...]

Nine months and two weeks’ worth of our daughter, September 2004.
We had the great good fortune last night to attend a performance of Chanticleer, the men’s choral ensemble. Every December the San Francisco-based group finishes up a national holiday touring schedule with local performances. Thanks to the devotion of the Gramma and the [...]

Original photo credit: The Windgrove Center, Tasmania, AU.
In celebration of the 100th post, part five in a ten-part series.
[Warning A: Jumbo post alert! Warning B: Of little interest to anyone who didn't ride the Weblog Awards roller coaster last week! If you didn't, please check back in another day or two for actual content! [...]

We’re not the only ones to feel the poignancy of the time.
I can’t decide whether the coming of her sibling represents a betrayal of our undivided attention — which of course it is — or a blessing, since a (would be) life-long companion is coming her way.
As with almost every either/or [...]

Cheryl and Kian, from our rockin’ parents’ group, and the beloved, wedged under kid #2.
I had every intention of doing up a longer, reflective piece here, about lessons learned at the roller derby this past week. But that will have to wait, because kid #2 is faking us out right now. Dropped, in [...]

Original photo credit: The Windgrove Center, Tasmania, AU.
In celebration of the 100th post, part four in a ten-part series.
In what I hope will be one of the last direct references to the virtual roller derby that was the Weblog Awards, below are, near as I can figure,
Ten contingents to whom I owe thanks for [...]