3 mins read

Farewell to a Pet

When I was a child, my best friend was a cat. This dark brown Siamese was, in almost every way, as much my soul mate as any friend, sister, or boyfriend. He shared the long hours of my childhood, followed me devotedly around the room as I brushed my teeth or tried on endless outfits for the first day of school, and purred in my lap as we watched The Brady Bunch and The Partridge …

4 mins read

Importance of Groundhog Day

For the past several decades, Groundhog Day has held a place as a legitimately celebrated holiday on the North American calendar, thanks in large part to the tradition of Punxsutawney Phil, the famous Pennsylvania groundhog. Over the past 125 years, since 1887, on Feb. 2 Phil has predicted the weather for the second half of the winter, according to folklore and his handlers of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Why is Feb. 2 celebrated as Groundhog Day?

7 mins read

I’m Going to Disneyland! Without the Kids! (June Cleaver Would Not Approve)

I grew up in Southern California. It was a great place to enjoy childhood, what with easy access to beaches, practically year round sunshine and Disneyland. I have tons of great memories of visiting Disneyland starting when I was five (when, much to my parents horror, I apparently spent most of my time pointing at costumed characters and other features and declaring them fake) and up through when I left for college. I remember often asking to go to Disneyland when I was little and my mom (and other moms) answering that it was a little too far away for more than an annual visit.