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The Meat and Potatoes of Life

Did my efforts to protect my children through the telling of cautionary tales and occasional humor inadvertently traumatize them, or are millennials and Gen Zers simply more prone to dramatics?



more The Meat and Potatoes of Life news

Military life in miniature

During my husband’s 28 years in the Navy, we were forced to create a “home” wherever we found ourselves and carry on with things. That is what military families must do — if we want a good life, we must make it happen no matter where we find ourselves in the world.

Spring break on a shrimpy budget

For my roommate and me, the idea of going on a spring break trip was financially ludicrous, because our part-time jobs only produced enough funds for meager groceries, rent and cheap beers. Still — it was our senior year. Our last chance to really let our big, frizzy, permed hair down and have some fun before we’d be forced to become real-world adults.

Restore ‘care’ to primary care providers

As a long-time Navy wife and patron of dependent military medicine services, I am accustomed to having to change PCMs often. However, recent changes have been extreme -- and that’s no coincidence.

Sibling squabbles don’t end just because you grow up

Sibling battles are more volatile than conflicts between friends, parents or coworkers. Simple arguments can go from zero to 100 in a flash, because their vulnerabilities are just under the surface. Siblings know exactly how to push each other’s buttons.

Fair trade for coffee needs to include Wi-Fi

Our exchange is sleazy, yet fair: I buy your overpriced coffee, and you give me unlimited Internet access. However, as long as you are looking for ways to “enhance the cafe experience,” here are a few suggestions.

Boot Camp breakthrough for a woman of a certain age

Since leaving base life, I’ve longed for one or two “kitchen door” friends. The kind that show up unannounced without makeup on. The kind that tell you the commissary is out of strawberries. The kind that let you vent about how long it took for your number to be called at the base pharmacy. The kind that let you be yourself and appreciate you for it.

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