“I … hope that there is meaning in mess and pain, that more will be revealed, and that truth and beauty will somehow win out in the end.” — Anne Lamott Life is messy, sometimes unbelievably messy. What enables us to survive, more or less intact? …

In her book of essays, poet Mary Oliver wrote, “…you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life.” It’s a lesson I learned the hard way, after breaking free of a very long, unhappy marriage. I learned it once more, as if to make sure I understood…

Are all of these delightful moments too much to ask of life? — I don’t know why finding what we need in life and then being happy with it is so hard. I think most of us want the same things: connection, acceptance, affection, and respect. Love. Like most of the single, straight women I know, I’m still waiting — but I’m no…

He wants to stay for a month, but a month is a long time to spend with a complete stranger, and my recent experience with a BnB guest who had to be forcefully evicted by my beefy next-door neighbor hasn’t left me in a trusting state of mind. “OK…but we’ll…

Let’s Fight for Greener, More Creative Solutions and a Positive Way Forward — My dog of twelve years died four months ago. Yes, you’re reading the story that goes along with this headline. Yesterday, a friend encouraged me to adopt an adorable pup that I’m a little obsessed with, but he’s in a shelter in California, a two-day’s drive from New Mexico. More…

When You Adopt Rescue Dogs, Who Rescues Who? — I walk my two rescue dogs out into the cool high desert. I climb a ridge that offers a view of the wide escarpment in the distance and the sandy sage-dotted valley in between. Then I remove their leashes and let them run and run. Birdie bounds with athletic grace…

My unexpected journey to rescue dog number four… Lola came to me in a very funny way, almost as if the decision was entirely out of my hands. …

Hey, women’s fiction fans! What are some things about a book or story that make it really resonate with you? What makes it hard to put down, and what makes you invested in reading the sequel? Also, who are some of your favorite authors? Let’s spill the tea about women’s…

With a Preview of The Renaissance Sisters… — August, 2003, Tucson, Arizona “I’m sorry to say that you and your siblings did not inherit your aunt’s primary residence — her will specifies that the house on Cordova goes to her late partner’s daughter, Barbara,” the attorney told us. “Is this coming as a surprise to you?” my sister…