The presents may change, but the love stays the same. — In Preschool — I can’t really remember back that far, but I do remember finding the macaroni decorated plates that my mother kept in her keepsake drawer. Between the brittle pieces of pasta, were words describing my mother. Loving. Beautiful. Fun. And my name, your daughter Jane Singman. Not to…

You won’t forget your visit to this neighborhood — Lisa Roe’s debut onto the literary scene with her Mom-Com, Welcome to the Neighborhood, is a lot like the heroine of her book: A fresh, exciting voice with a wonderful perspective on life. From the first sentence I was drawn in and quickly devoured each page. The main character, Ginny…

Sex is still on her mind — Wanted: A man. Plain and simple. But not so simple if you knew who was asking. Not that finding a life partner is ever that simple. But in this case, it’s beyond reality. Because the person asking is my ninety-seven-year-old mother. Yep, every night when she goes to bed she…

And continue on with my day — I’ve kicked my husband out of bed several times in the last few years. I’m not referring to making him sleep in the other room or on the couch because of some disagreement. No, I’ve literally pushed him onto the floor. He is confined to a wheelchair due to a…

The names have been changed to protect the innocent — My husband’s exposure to Agent Orange caused a rare tumor — one more prevalent in dogs — to develop in his brain. Because of this tumor, his right leg doesn’t always follow his brain’s commands. Unlike those endearing four-legged pets, my husband only has two legs. And when one stops…

I’ll bet you come away a winner! — Cara Bertoia’s debut novel, The Casino Queen, published by The Wild Rose Press, is more than a mystery. It is also a fascinating look at the inside workings of a casino. Publishing Programs | The Wild Rose Press Inc Publishing with The Wild Rose Press The Wild Rose Press, Inc. is a traditional royalty paying publisher. We accept…www.thewildrosepress.com The main character, Caroline Popov, once down on her luck, now works as manager at the Night Hawk Casino…

The evolution of milk — When I was growing up, milk was a liquid which came from a mammal. A cow. A goat. A donkey. A camel. A woman. Something with teats which were suckled by hungry offspring or squeezed by loving, or so I hoped, hands into containers and subsequently processed and sold in…

Or am I anti-social — When my daughter was little we moved across the country from Michigan to California and for several months we lived with my parents. At that same time, a mama sparrow made a nest in a tiny alcove in the roof. My daughter found it fascinating to watch this dedicated bird…

Making every moment count — My favorite part of a vacation is the penultimate day. You may be wondering what day that is and why it is my favorite. Well, penultimate means the second to last. Yes, there is a word for that position in the order of things. And how can one not love…