When I was in high school, I read The Grapes of Wrath for my American Lit class.  By the end of the book I felt like I had trudged through the Dust Bowl myself, and was in danger of entering my own Great Depression.  I almost didn’t read The Persian Pickle Club because, well, it’s [...]

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess.  She lived in a grand palace with her parents, the queen and king, and had an army of servants to do her bidding.  Her life was perfect. But this isn’t her story. This is the story of an ordinary girl in the nearby village, who wished she were a princess [...]

To the inventors of seat warmers:  My cozy booty thanks you. To the  writers of The Office:  Will you marry me? To the manufacturers of king-sized sheets:  Seriously.  Putting the tag in the fitted corner does not help.  I think I have the sheet on sideways.  Again. To the sun:  I miss you.  You never visit [...]

1. Duct tape 2. Bribery (“If you practice your piano, I will remove the duct tape.”) 3. Praise (“You are doing great! It’s amazing how well you can play with your legs strapped to the bench!”) 4. Threats (“Finish that song, or I’ll remove the duct tape verrrrry sloooowly.”) 5. Guilt (“Do you know how [...]

I don’t know who wrote this, or I’d give them credit. It wasn’t me. That loud, cackling laugh you heard across the western United States? That was me. Politics Explained FEUDALISM: You have two cows. Your lord takes some of the milk. PURE SOCIALISM: You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them [...]