by Candice Watters It’s rare to forget about Twitter, to leave emails unopened, and to not know what’s going on beyond the bounds of a hotel swimming pool, but last week we managed a family vacation so full of mountain hikes, sightseeing, lounging at the swimming pool, and visits with old friends, that except for...

by Candice Watters It may be the most dreaded phrase of the summer. Spoken with a sing-song-y whine, the insistent, “Mom, I’m borrrred!” strains the ears, surprisingly early into summer vacation. Just days after final tests are taken, kids who couldn’t wait for a break from school seem utterly unable to amuse themselves in the...

by Candice Watters This morning I heard a distressing report about “Obvious Child,” a new movie being billed as an “abortion comedy.” Last night I read a far better bit of wisdom about how to handle untimely conceptions. This from Maria Augusta Trapp, matron of the family singers immortalized in film in “The Sound of...

by Candice Watters There we were, all dressed and ready to go on a much-anticipated date, giving one another that knowing look — just 30 more minutes till the babysitter arrives! But the 30 minutes came and went and no babysitter. Then 45. Then 50. I dialed the phone, “Um hi, are you on your...

by Candice Watters I have a picture in my mind of my Nana’s hands. As she aged, her skin got thinner, her veins popped up more from the surface, and they seemed bluer. She always kept them soft with lotion–like well-oiled leather–and I loved to stroke them and pull her skin up like raw skin...

by Candice Watters This is the time of year when moms are counting down the days until school ends and summer begins. I’m so ready for a break after a busy school year, I could just breathe a huge sigh of relief, grab a pitcher of lemonade, and head for the nearest hammock in the...