At 250 it seems the country is constantly dealing with ridiculous chaos. But this is not what American chaos should be. Can we learn a lesson from the foreign soccer fans showing us America through their eyes? The eyes we once had - most likely - 250 years ago? Going crazy over Ranch dressing and Boston beer and Route 66 gas stations? Our America! THIS is what American chaos should be: My closet strewn with clothes before the wedding. Or the dance at the wedding when the new best song...

On the beach trip for Jill’s birthday, the girls stretched out on lounge chairs: talking and reading. I rubbed excess SPF off on my towel and my hands looked like my Mom’s hands. My gut got all scrunched up in a good way. My hands were smooth, fingernails finally growing out from gel abuse. Transforming from dry midwestern hands with the ever present crack on the right thumb. I had island hands! Like my Mom’s - nails never polished - just clean fresh hands. She has been gone for such...

It’s a new year! Time to Swear -To-God you are going to start some exercise routine. “Give yoga another try!” my friends say. The idea of yoga; little girls heads together at a slumber party, shoulders touching, sleeping bags lined up like yoga mats in the studio. Soft, quiet voices, punctuated by bursts of giggles and a “SHHH”. But yoga is no slumber party. And, to the horror of most people I know; I hate yoga. I want to like it. It would be good for me. If I could muscle my way into...