Feminine Wiles

I could never be a commencement speaker. First – and most obvious – I’d never be asked. Any two-legged primate with a sign-l...

Carter celebrated his 17 th birthday this week, but according to him, 17 is nothing special.  No big deal.  It’s not 16, it’s not 18, it’s ...

I'm a fan of holiday traditions. I always watch Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve – although I’m not entirely averse to channe...

It’s Day Two of 2011 --  a.k.a. the “Year of Loss” Chez Wiles --  in which I’ve resolved to lose weight, bad habits, and mental stressors. ...

It's exam week Chez Wiles. So instead of boating –our new favorite pastime -- everybody’s studying. That doesn’t mean we’re laying ...

Yesterday afternoon, I made one of those absolutely necessary, but embarrassingly-infrequent circuits of the house, checking the exterior p...

This post ran as a guest column in the Moxie section of The Post & Courier (Charleston, SC), Friday, September 11, 2009.  ( Click here...

Tomorrow marks my son's last day as a middle school student.  He'll cross an auditorium stage clutching a certificate, and just lik...

I found out today.  I am divorced. Not a shocker, I know.  My (now) ex-husband and I separated over a year ago.  We submitted ourselves to...

Today started with a crash.  My daughter's 4' x 6' corkboard, crusted with the mementos of an 11-year-old life, fell to the floo...

When I was a kid, I had no concept of Lent.  My parents didn't go to church, and if Lent was ever mentioned in the Presbyterian Sunday s...

Kids have lots of favorites.  Favorite blankets, stuffed animals and toys.  Later, they have favorite foods, teachers and friends.  Even on ...