Oh, Those Summer Nights
“Summer Nights” from Grease loops in my head as I mash a banana and crack open a beer—not to sip, not yet, but to bait moths. According to online sources, moths are drawn to a fermented mix of banana, sugar,…
Amy Laundrie
Are You Spending Your Time the Way You Truly Want?
I knew I was about to pass out. I stood up and walked from the carpeted floor to the kitchen to call for my husband, who was downstairs. I woke up to shouting. “Amy, what was that noise?” Frank was…
The Messy Badger Who Lives in My Writer’s Den
The last time I deep-cleaned and fastidiously organized, I was eight months pregnant—which was forty-four years ago. Because I can’t count on another nesting instinct, it’s time to face the drawers of outdated research notes, defunct electronics, and enough paper…
Family Traditions at the Little Cabin: Fireflies, Fawns, and Fourth of July Magic
Forty-eight years ago, my husband and I honeymooned in a rugged log cabin tucked beside a northern Wisconsin lake. It had log walls, one cozy bedroom, a single bathroom, and a quiet magic that made it feel much bigger. We…
Sprinkled with Magic
In honor of International Fairy Day, which is celebrated this week, I’m sharing a story that proves that a bit of magic—and a sprinkle of sand—can make a lasting memory. My six-year-old granddaughter, Maria, hurried up the walk to our…
Who Made a Difference in Your Life?
She wore her hair in a stylish French twist, but she could hit a softball out of the schoolyard. She was my third- and fourth-grade teacher, and I loved her. Shirley Meyer never achieved anything as monumental as winning a…
Then again…Maybe We Just Did
Dear Dad, Happy 100th birthday—and happy Father’s Day! Even though you’ve been gone 45 years, I still think of you often. I like to imagine you’re watching over me and my family with a smile and an approving, “Dirty Dog,”…
Finding Joy in the Summer Season
Three years ago, my husband and I spent a week at Disney World in Florida. I loved the Soarin’ Around the World ride, where you could strap in and experience, through digital projection, flying like a bird. The ride felt…
From Strays to Soulmates: The Transformative Power of Shelter Animals
Last week, I shared highlights of my interview with the Sauk County Humane Society (SCHS) and mentioned the Basset Hound mother, Princess, and her puppies. By the time Princess and her puppies were brought to the shelter, they were all…
Healing Tails: How Sheltered Pets Change Lives
What do meeting Mrs. Wisconsin, hearing about the joys of bathing a Great Dane, and learning about saving an emaciated basset hound have in common? They all resulted from my visit to the Sauk County Humane Society. In honor of…