People seem to have no problem voicing their desire to buy a good pair of jeans or go bird watching.  I detect zero self-consciousness from the person who tells me she wants to go see Mean Girls on Broadway. Or enroll in improv classes.  But.    When people want to write, they don’t say it loudly;…

Two things I love about my friend Jenn Lederer: She’s got an open mind and sharp opinions. She’s cool with whatever you want to wear, do, pursue. “You do you, girl,” she says, waving her hand at everyone and no one. But don’t get her started on footwear. “Wedges? Fine. Clogs, cool. Tennis shoes ok.…

There’s a song by recording artist and folk singer Mary Gauthier that guts me, every time.  It’s called “Mercy Now,” and the song moves, achingly, through concentric circles of forgiveness: Starting with her father, who could use some mercy now…and ending with her country, which could most definitely use some mercy now. (Lord have mercy,…

Ever go on a church retreat? I did.  Antioch Weekend at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Roseland, New Jersey. In the 80s. You got to wear your Jordache jeans and sleep over at host houses and hang out with kids you didn’t know (read: boys you didn’t know) from public school. Hot.  We…