Why I Love Cast Iron So Much — I am very lucky to come from a family that could cook. And when I say they could cook, you know what I mean: they could cook well, with flavor and depth. They cooked good food you enjoyed eating. (Well, except that time with my dad’s infamous sprout meatloaf, but…

an alternate ending for “The Goose Girl” fairy tale in poetry — You mistake me, my new husband, as I lay here, quivering, in silks before you, covered only by my unbraided tresses of gold, spilling modestly over shoulder and breast. You mistake this silence for cultured submission; this demure, down-turned chin for virtuous shyness. But tonight, I have no concern for…

Go with the Flow — Growing up, I had no idea that I had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The diagnosis wasn’t so common at the time anyway. I didn’t figure it out until after my daughter was diagnosed — and, oh, boy, yeah! It’s abundantly clear my brain is wired that way. As for how…

A Stunning Fairy Tale Transcending Body Horror — A fairy-tale where our heroine is mutilated? Yes. Seriously. Until very recently, I had never before heard of the folktale “The Handless Maiden”. But it’s not new. It’s not isolated. It also goes by the names “The Girl Without Hands” or “The Girl With Silver Hands” or “The Armless Maiden”…

Thoughts for Valentine’s Day — This excerpt of a letter written by George Eliot struck me as so profound: “Your words of affection in the note you sent me are very dear to my remembrance. I like not only to be loved, but also to be told that I am loved. I am not sure…