I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do; and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. These words are … Continue reading Living by the Girl Scout Law
about my Girl Scout articles
I am posting some of the ideas that have worked out well for me as a Girl Scout leader, and some of the experiences I've had as a girl and as a leader, in hopes that they'll be helpful to other Girl Scout leaders and perhaps to people who work with other children's groups. These are my personal opinions … Continue reading about my Girl Scout articles
Zucchini Tofu
Here is my favorite tofu recipe. Although it's sort of Chinese-like, I cook it more slowly over lower heat than an authentic Chinese stir-fry, which gives the onions a very different flavor. Quantities are very approximate; basically it's "season to taste". When zucchini is not in season, you can use frozen zucchini, thawed and drained--but … Continue reading Zucchini Tofu
Great system, bad example!
We've been struggling with our three-year-old's demanding behavior and angry outbursts and have sought help from several books. The most recent was Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by Becky Bailey, frequently recommended in online discussions. Overall, it's an okay book. The main idea is that a conflict is an opportunity to teach your child skills he … Continue reading Great system, bad example!
Train Travel
We just took a trip to Chicago and back on Amtrak, and it was wonderful! Our three-year-old railroad enthusiast was thrilled, and Daniel and I had a great time too. It's dramatically different from airline travel. Some of the differences are absolutely positive, others are better from our point of view but wouldn't suit everyone, and … Continue reading Train Travel
Origins 2008 Recycling Report
Last year I wished this story had a happy ending. Now it does! The Greater Columbus Convention Center had recycling bins for cans and bottles, and for paper, set up in many parts of the building during Origins this past weekend. I am thrilled! Last year's news was so discouraging, I hadn't expected them to … Continue reading Origins 2008 Recycling Report
Counting to Three…Part Two
Well, the technique of counting to three had a good run, but it's not working anymore. Nicholas tried using it himself to get us to do things we'd refused to do, he saw that we still refused, and now he sees no reason why he should comply just because we're counting. I don't remember ever … Continue reading Counting to Three…Part Two
Cabbage Nengkan
This is a story about how I cook. I hope it will provide some insight to people who cook only by following recipes, or who "don't know how to cook," as to how one can go about figuring out what to do with the main ingredient that happens to be available. If not, maybe my chaotic cookery will … Continue reading Cabbage Nengkan
Packing for a Picnic or Potluck: Reusable Gear!
Picnic/barbecue season is here, with mounds of disposable tableware: soggy paper, bendy plastic, skidgy foam, spoons that scratch our mouths and melt in our coffee, forks whose tines snap off, knives that won't cut anything, cups that are too cold or hot to hold without adding a layer of cardboard. Everybody's cup is identical, so we have to write our names on them. What convenience! What convenience? We've started bringing our own dishes, utensils, and napkins when we go to picnics and some potlucks.
What’s wrong with these Earth policemen?!
Pittsburgh police killed Nang Nguyen because he was waving a meat cleaver. Okay, he should not have been doing that, but did they really have to shoot him dead on the sidewalk? Consider the details of this story: He had a history of acting strangely toward the end of the month, when he would run … Continue reading What’s wrong with these Earth policemen?!
Impulse Control and Understanding Consequences
Like learning to share, these are skills some parents claim are absolutely impossible in babies and toddlers. I think they're underestimating what those little brains can do! Babies are capable of controlling some impulses, some of the time--they just aren't as good at it as older people. Babies are capable of learning that something they … Continue reading Impulse Control and Understanding Consequences
Don’t forget the lemonade!
How come people don't serve lemonade more often? And why is it that, when people do serve lemonade, it's usually the fake kind made from a powder? Yeah, squeezing lemons is a lot of work. But lemon juice comes in a bottle! You can make lemonade with just bottled lemon juice, sugar, water, and maybe … Continue reading Don’t forget the lemonade!
Spreadable Butter
This isn't a recipe, exactly, but more of a food-related tip: I grew up seeing that butter or margarine was always stored in the refrigerator. Therefore, I assumed that it would spoil quickly if left out. Shortly after I moved up to Pennsylvania for college, a friend who'd grown up nearby invited me home for the weekend. I was astonished to see that … Continue reading Spreadable Butter
The Dreadful Future of the Postage Stamp
Last Friday night, I walked over to my local post office to buy some 1-cent stamps. Sure, the post office was closed at 9pm, but it has a new computerized machine to serve our posting needs 24/7. In fact, the Postal Service is so keen on our using this machine that, last time I was … Continue reading The Dreadful Future of the Postage Stamp
The Concept Catalog
Back when I was working at an invention marketing company, one of the ways we promoted the inventions was the annual publication of a Concept Catalog that was handed out at trade shows and mailed to manufacturers and so on. Each invention got a quarter-page ad, written in a certain format: eye-catching headline, product name, … Continue reading The Concept Catalog
How the Cabana Bench Got Its Name
A tale of my childhood, retold in celebration of Mother's Day. When I was in first grade, my mother became annoyed that she kept finding my shoes in the middle of the floor in various public rooms of the house. At first, she dealt with this the way most parents--trying to teach orderly living skills and … Continue reading How the Cabana Bench Got Its Name
To You, They ARE Underwear!
This article is part of my Tastes Like Somebody Loves You! series. I wrote it in 2003, but it falls into that category of things I wasn't allowed to say when I wasn't a parent. Toddlers learning to use the toilet used to wear cotton "training pants" that were just like underpants but made of thicker … Continue reading To You, They ARE Underwear!
When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best
This article is part of my Tastes Like Somebody Loves You! series. My son was 12 days old the first time he received a package with his name computer-printed on the shipping label. "What did you order?" I asked him jokingly. "Did you go online without permission?" Of course he hadn't--the package contained a gift. … Continue reading When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best
Tastes Like Somebody Loves You!
Each photograph showed a smiling child, alone in the foreground of an after-school activity: ballet lesson, soccer practice, etc. The slogan said, "Tastes Like Somebody Loves You!" It was an ad campaign for individual pudding snacks. Well, it may taste like it, but that snack doesn't mean anyone loves you, kid. In fact, nobody loves … Continue reading Tastes Like Somebody Loves You!
Bagel! Bagel! Bagel!
Last winter, one of my Girl Scouts was singing this parody of the Dreidel song traditionally sung on Hanukkah: Bagel! Bagel! Bagel! I made it out of snow. I baked it in the oven. Where did my bagel go? My family found this song hilarious and sang it over and over again. Within a couple … Continue reading Bagel! Bagel! Bagel!
The Earthling's Handbook 