The Mom Weekly

Author: Mom

  • September is the new January

    September is the new January

    The Mom Weekly Volume 160: September 1, 2026 

    You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.

    Notes:

    I will say (not for the first time) that I often write the weeklies with myself in mind, and with things that I either need to consider or be reminded of. Today is no exception.

    Remember how much I love you,

    Mom

    September is the new January

    I thought this candy-corn themed color scheme seemed seasonally appropriate.

    There’s been a trend in recent years to say, “September is the new January” because with the end of the summer and the start of the school year for most kids, it’s a time to refresh our schedules, our spaces, and our lives.

    Now, most of us are no longer in school, but there is something to be said for a reset time when it’s not as busy/holiday rich as the end of December, to take stock of things and maybe make some goals.

    Today is September 1, so this is a good time to consider one of these “resets.”

    Might I suggest a few things? And as I say this, remember that I write The Mom Weekly as much for myself, with ideas I want to implement, as much as I write for you.

    • Choose Four small/moderate goals, one per month.

    This could look like organizing or deep cleaning a room each month:

    September: Kitchen

    October: Main Bedroom

    November: Basement Storage areas (great ahead of holiday decorating)

    December: books & bookshelves

    • Work on something challenging for the last quarter of the year as a sprint.

    If you have a side project or a , focusing on it for a quarter (three months) can be a great plan. I have some specific writing projects that I would like to make good progress on. Setting aside a few dedicated writing days could be good work for me.

    • Start looking ahead to make some memories with all the upcoming holidays.

    September through December is chock full. There are many holidays, from Halloween (not my favorite!) to New Year’s Eve. But there are also seasonal activities. Actually putting these things on the calendar, (even if you have to change your dates, etc.) can help make these things happen, and bring more enjoyment into your life. Some ideas:

    Farm fun: 

    apple picking, pumpkin patch visit, corn maze

    Fall food: 

    plan pumpkin recipes (pumpkin muffins, pumpkin chili), apple recipes, cider, fall soup recipes, candy corn, etc.

    Halloween: 

    As most everyone knows, this is not my favorite holiday! But it’s worth planning to have the Halloween candy on hand, decide when you would like to hand out candy at your door (or decide against, and go out of town!)

    All Saints/All Souls:

    November 1 is All Saints Day, November 2 is All Souls, and the month of November is set aside for remembering our beloved dead. Consider visiting a cemetery this month (even if it’s not a cemetery where you have relatives or friends) and praying for them. You may remember we did that years ago when we could bike ride to the town cemetery, and on temperate November days, we would do just that!

    Thanksgiving: 

    Setting aside some time to plan what you are going to make or have for Thanksgiving, as well as where you will be, is always a good plan.

    December holidays:

    While every month has saint feast days and other holidays (much less all the made-up “National Brownie Day”, etc.) December is chock full. So a little advance planning, even this far ahead, could be a fun exercise.

    December 6: St. Nicholas 

    Hanukkah is early this year! December 4-12. Add to the calendar. I’ll be planning to make latkes during those days.

    December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception

    December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe 

    December 16: Jane Austen’s 251st Birthday

    December 24/25: Christmas Eve/Christmas Day

    December 31/January 1: New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day

    Interesting/Notable:

    The Highs and Lows of My $2,500 Flight in Alaska’s New Long-Haul Business Class (WSJ Gift link)

    I enjoy WSJ travel writer Dawn Gilbertson’s columns. This is somewhat topical because some in our family may have the chance to experience some of these Alaska to Europe flights! I hope I can before too lon.g

    Alaska Airlines had me at ice cream sundaes.

    “Why a child’s stuffed bunny is blowing up a political race — and the internet” (Washington Post gift link)

    The best quote from this article (and so true!)

    “There are literally thousands of fathers reading those tweets and thinking: ‘When my daughter lost her favorite toy, I led a search party as if for a downed NATO nuclear warhead. And when that failed, I paid $300 for a replica on eBay,’” posted David Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush.

  • Understanding the Assignment

    The Mom Weekly Volume 159: August 25, 2026 

    You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.

    Understanding the Assignment

    Kids these days like to use the expression, “She understood the assignment.” I think what this means is that the person excels at something, or gives 110 percent, whether it’s dressed “just right” or better for an event, knowing the perfect thing to say in a situation. Here’s a BBC mini-podcast about it.

    Here’s an example I think fits the bill: (but let me know if I’m wrong): one of my sisters has always been an excellent companion on long drives, because she always has snacks, water, and is prepared for just about anything. She understands the assignment of being a good traveler.

    I had two experiences in recent weeks that brought to mind the expression “understanding the assignment.” One negative, one positive.

    I couldn’t think of a good image for this post, but candy corn seemed seasonal.

    Not Understanding the Assignment

    Earlier this summer, I was in a Western state for a conference (I don’t want to give too many particulars because I don’t want to directly criticize someone I don’t know at all, especially if there could be extenuating circumstances. I don’t think there are, but just to be safe I’m going to be vague). 

    I went to a downtown parish on one of the weekdays I was there, as I like to do when I’m traveling. Often, an urban parish or two will have more opportunities for confession than a typical parish, and it’s a great way to experience a new-to-me church. There was a daily Mass at 5:30 p.m., and the online bulletin said confessions were heard from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Great, I thought, I’ll go for confession, and have some quiet time and stay for Mass.

    I arrived around 4:25, and there was a bit of a line. I thought, hmm, can we all get in? Who knows? I’m glad I’m here. 

    Well, most of the confession times of the people in line was, let’s just say, longer than normal for a typical confession line. And as I got closer, I noticed a sign nearer to the confessional that said, “Father will leave at 4:45 p.m.” or something similar. Noted.

    The woman ahead of me went in, and she came out at exactly 4:45 p.m. She said to the rest of us in line, “Father is coming out, confession is over.”

    I can’t say I was shocked, based on the sign, but I was a little miffed. Honestly? Mass isn’t for 45 minutes? You can’t wait around for four or five more people to go to confession? Anyway, I chalked it up to this particular place and time, but I found it less than ideal. Clearly, the priest did not “understand the assignment.”

    Understanding the Assignment

    Later in the summer, earlier this month, I was traveling again, (with some of you!) and I was able to get to a Saturday night Mass at at parish I hadn’t been to before . We arrived pretty early, and I said, I think I’m going to try to get to confession. The online bulletin said it was again, 4 p.m.-4:45 p.m., and Saturday evening Mass was 5 p.m. We arrived at probably 4:30, so I didn’t have high hopes, but I thought, well, I’ll give it a try. 

    It took a bit to find the location for confession, and when I did (around 4:35 or later), I thought, well, this probably isn’t going to work. There were maybe 10 people in line ahead of me. But I thought, well, I’ll just stay here to pray until confession is over. A few minutes later one more person lined up behind me.

    I got a little more hope because people were moving through pretty quickly, but nothing could have prepared me for what happened when there were four of us still in line—two young women, me, and the young man after me. I can’t remember the time, but it was pretty darn close to 4:45 p.m. 

    An older gentleman came out and said something like, “Father said he has to leave in five minutes to get ready to say Mass, and he said: do you understand the assignment?”

    Okay, he didn’t really say that, but I can’t remember the exact words. He said somehow in a very clever way, without saying it outright: keep it (very) short and all of you will still get to go to confession. And we all looked at each and smiled and nodded, as if to say, “We understand the assignment.”

    And we did. The two women ahead of me each took a minute, if that. I got ready to make it brief, and I was ready when it was my time. Father said after I said my confession, “You can say your act of contrition after you leave.” I think mine might have been well under a minute. And that included him saying the words of absolution, and I honestly got chills. It was so wonderful!! I told Father there was one more person behind me, and I know that he was able to go as well.

    Now, that is what I call someone who understood the assignment. Not us, although once it was set out to those of us going to confession, we got it together and made it happen, so that all of us could go to confession. 

    No, it was the priest himself hearing confessions that afternoon. He understood the assignment of hearing confessions on a busy Saturday before Mass: try to get as many people to receive the healing graces from the sacrament as possible. And in a clever and honestly pastoral way, and with help from all of us, he made it happen. Kudos to him.

    This priest incidentally gave a great homily at Mass that night about all of the readings:

    First Reading: Isaiah 55:1-3

    Responsorial Psalm: 145

    Second Reading Romans 8:35, 37-39

    Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21

    Interesting/Notable

    Our Last Wi-Fi-Less Refuge Is Gone (The Atlantic gift link)

    This is about how good wifi is becoming common on airplanes. I actually don’t find that the worst thing in the world, but this is an interesting perspective.

  • Reverse Parking Mindset

    Reverse Parking Mindset

    The Mom Weekly Volume 158: August 18, 2026 

    You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.

    Notes:

    I had fun writing this weekly, and I hope that you enjoy reading too!

    Remember how much I love you,

    Mom

    Reverse Parking Mindset

    What do you call the person who is a mother-in-law to your children? What relationship are they to each other?

    The reason I ask this is that I was with one of these people (fellow mom-in-law?). She was driving, and we saw a spot for her car, and she said, “Oh, I’m going to back in.” And I said, “Yes!” And pumped my fists. We are kindred spirits.

    I don’t understand why people don’t love backing into spaces. I know there are times when it’s impractical or impossible to do so (a person behind you waiting to park, diagonal spaces that prevent parking that way, etc.). 

    But when there is time and space to do so, backing into a parking space is the best choice. Change my mind! (isnt’ that an expression the kids use today?)

    And with back-up cameras, it’s pretty easy! I’m always so grateful for back-up cameras, and how easy it makes it to parallel park or back into parking spaces.

    I would much rather put in the work to back-in park before I go somewhere, and then I can easily drive away when it’s time to leave.

    It turns out, the research backs me up.

    This transcript of a 2014 NPR story about backing into parking spaces being a mark of ability to delay gratification, and what that means for the financial strength of a country when it’s common (or person, I suppose).

    And go here to read an article from a safety website about how reverse parking is safer than the normal way of parking.

    This article encourages business owners to actually promote back-in parking as a “keystone safety habit.” 

    As I was writing this, I was at a Quick Trip, and saw many trucks such as this one, all backed into their spaces. I think it might be a kind of unwritten rule.

    So, let me encourage you to consider adding this to your safety routine as you drive. Whenever possible, take the few extra minutes to back into your parking space. You’ll have a 

    Reverse Parking Mindset in Other Areas of Life

    Also, let’s consider using this same delayed gratification mindset to other things.

    For instance, everyone knows how much I complain about having Invisalign. But here is one “reverse parking mindset” shift that helps me have a “slightly” better attitude towards it.

    One of the annoyances of Invisalign is that you have to brush your teeth and your “trays” (what Invisalign calls the retainers you wear) after you eat or drink something that isn’t water. 

    At first, I would take out the trays, then eat my meal/snack, then after a time (you’re supposed to wait 20-30 minutes after something acidic or drinking soda or coffee), you can brush your teeth, your trays, and put them back in.

    A slight, but delight-causing change I made: I have started to brush my retainers when I take them out. And it makes all the difference, for some reason. It gives me a bit of happiness to think when I’m brushing my teeth to know I can just pop the retainers back in when I’m finished. This isn’t always possible (just like backing into a parking space), but most of the time I do this, and benefit from that happiness lift.

    I’ve started thinking about other ways that I can use this delayed gratification/reverse parking mindset to make my life happier. 

    Interesting/Notable

    How 10 minutes of drawing can reset your nervous system–(Washington Post gift link)

    Dad shared this article, and I thought it was worth a look!

    Why I Left the Tenure Track—The Atlantic gift article

    Oof, this cover story from The Atlantic is such a saga. What burned me up most about this was the administration being extra-accommodating for language and other performative ways to telegraph enlightened views, but at the same time  trying to quash an effort from adjuncts and service workers to unionize on campus.

  • What Brings You to Town?

    What Brings You to Town?

    The Mom Weekly Volume 157: August 11, 2026 

    You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here. https://themomweekly.com/

    Notes:

    I giggled when I wrote the headline for today’s Weekly. It is such fun to have inside sayings.

    Remember how much I love you,

    Mom

    What Brings You to Town?

    The expression, “What brings you to town” first became a cause for merriment in our family when three of us were at a St. Louis-area hotel a couple of years ago. The same weekend, there were a series of baseball games between the Cardinals and the New York Yankees at Busch Stadium downtown. 

    Nearly every time we were on the elevator, there was a person, or a couple, or a family—different people every time—who were outfitted in either a little or a lot of Yankees or Cardinals hats, shirts, and other swag. It got to be funny, because after we would leave the elevator, we started saying to each other, “What brings you to town?” Because, obviously, baseball brought them to town.

    The expression “What brings you to town?” has become sort of a family shorthand for noticing someone is telegraphing exactly why they are in town/dressed the way they are. And I can do this telegraphing as much as the next person.

    I know we joke about how “graphic design is my passion,” but the font for the title is called “Barbie” so I’m not completely hopeless?

    The most hilarious version of this is when I attended the 2024 JASNA AGM (Jane Austen Society of North America Annual General Meeting, for those who don’t know), which was on an October weekend at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown. It turns out that the same weekend was also the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 

    A few days ahead of the conference, the JASNA attendees, received an email informing us that we would need to have ID and proof of reservations to be able to get in or out of the hotel all of that weekend.

    That was quite the fun, “when worlds collide” scenario. JASNA people are often dressed in Regency-era costumes, so it would be very easy to see what bring them to town.  (see this gift article from last year’s JASNA in Baltimore which was SO MUCH FUN)

    But back to Cleveland.

    Even though I do not wear Regency wear, it was apparent to everyone that I was at the hotel for the JASNA conference, not the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame. And it was extremely obvious who was staying at the hotel for the ceremony. 

    Apparently, Cher (one of the inductees) was staying at our hotel, along with several rap singers I cannot recall, Kool & the Gang (another inductee), and more.

    I did not see Cher (darn), but I did get a photo with the only remaining original member of Kool & the Gang, who I recognized because the group was wearing bomber jackets with “Kool & the Gang” emblazoned on them.

    When I spoke with several of you while I was away, one of you said, “You should ask people in the elevator, “What brings you to town?” That became my kryptonite for the rest of the weekend. 

    Every time—every single time —I got in the elevator, it invariably included a person or group who was a) Dressed in all black. b) Carrying a wine glass or other adult beverage c) Appeared in dress or demeanor to be a rock ’n’ roll person of some kind. And I would have trouble not breaking into laughter. I tried a few times to actually say, “What brings you to town?” But I couldn’t and keep a straight face.

    One time, I got on the elevator alone with a young-ish woman who looked kind of like a younger Cher. She was beautiful and dressed in all black, naturally. It was obvious that her clothes were super expensive. I couldn’t say, “What brings you to town?” Even though I knew exactly what brought her to town. 

    I said, “How are you?” without bursting into laughter, which I consider a great win, I promise you.

    She was friendly and we chit-chatted until one of us got out. I honestly don’t remember anything about the interaction, it was so unmemorable. I definitely didn’t know who she was, just that she was there for it. A musician? A publicist? Who knew. There was no “Kool and the Gang” bomber jacket to tip me off.

    Later, I looked through the artists who were there for the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. Dear readers, it turns out I shared an elevator with Dua Lipa, who was part of the induction ceremony to sing a duet of Cher’s classic “Believe” with her. (I won’t put the Youtube link in here, because that affects the email client, but you can Google it to see it).

    Now, you young subscribers will know who Dua Lipa is, and that she is kind of a big deal. But I still don’t know much about her, nor could I name one of her songs. 

    (Okay, I spoke too soon. Apparently, I recognize two of her songs, when I played a few on Spotify, prompted by one of my children who shall remain nameless. “Dance the Night,” which is a song from the Barbie movie, and “Levitating” because it was a BodyPump song.)

    Those encounters with the Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame people are still some great memories from that JASNA. But I honestly had more fun with my JASNA people.

    The next time you are in an elevator or with someone that you are pretty confident why they are in town, just try, I dare you, to say, “What brings you to town?”

    Interesting/Notable

    Our Favorite Foods at IKEA—Wirecutter

    This was a cool article that Dad shared with me. I also enjoy IKEA food!

  • Why Has “The Boxcar Children” Never Been Turned Into a Movie?

    Why Has “The Boxcar Children” Never Been Turned Into a Movie?

    You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.

    Notes:

    The busy weekend means that I’m relying on a little “from the vault” to have a weekly post on time. 

    It’s not very long, but I can remember well how we felt about how much fun a Boxcar Children movie would be. Enjoy and a read

    Remember how much I love you,

    Mom

    Why Has “The Boxcar Children” Never Been Turned Into a Movie? (From the Vault, 2009)

    We really enjoyThe Boxcar Children series at our house. They are not “great literature” but they are fun good stories, and hilarious for adults in the implied dysfunction of various family members.

    Grandfather Alden keeps quarreling with various family members, and his kind and loving grandchildren keep reuniting them with them, and solving a mystery to boot. But it’s all about the mysteries. They are such fun books.

    I am shocked to learn there has never been a movie version of this classic. Why not? There would be a built-in audience from so many generations of kids and their parents who have read them in the decades since they were first published.

    Homegirl created, with help from siblings, this Lego version of The Boxcar Children.

    Interesting/Notable:

    That Dropped Call with Customer Service? It was on Purpose —The Atlantic gift link

    This is a very fun and also informative about how customer services works. It is a bit long, but it doesn’t “feel” long.

    My best takeaway? Host an “admin night” for people to gather and take are of things like calling customer service for a refund of something.

  • It’s Okay to Be Grumpy Sometimes

    It’s Okay to Be Grumpy Sometimes

    The Mom Weekly Volume 155: July 28, 2026 

    You can read this, or any other previous Mom Weeklies, by going to the home page here.

    Notes:

    Today’s Weekly is demonstration yet again that many days, I write this for myself as much as anyone else.

    Remember how much I love you,

    Mom

    It’s Okay to Be Grumpy Sometimes

    I am writing this on a morning when I am not in the sunniest mood. In actual fact, I am grumpy. I think I woke up this way, but every little thing—especially things (and people and pets)—I cannot change, is adding to the grumpiness.

    Of course I know it is okay to feel less than cheerful, but it’s annoying to be annoyed by everything and everyone, for no reason or even for reason! 

    Part of me wants to say to myself, “Objectively, you have a pretty great life, and you should NOT be grumpy.”

    But our emotions are what they are. It isn’t a sign of ingratitude for my blessings, or a character flaw, that occasionally I wake up on the wrong side of the bed. And acknowledging those negative emotions, and expressing them openly, is a helpful and good skill. 

    I told the people around me that I was grumpy, and I said I was going to Panera to do some writing, and not be around people or pets for awhile. (Also, is it odd or strangely appropriate that “pets” keeps autocorrecting to “pest”? LOL)

    So one of my children, who shall remain nameless but who is wise beyond her years, reminded me a couple of hours ago: “It’s okay to be grumpy sometimes.”

    And let me remind you of that as well: It’s okay to be grumpy sometimes. 

    It’s okay to be grumpy sometimes.

    Be willing to tell those around you that you are.

    Find a small way that you can do something that gives you joy or give you life.

    Interesting/Notable

    The Seven Sleepers (The Pillar)

    Doesn’t this remind you of the  sleeping lords in C.S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader?

    I was re-reading parts of the book to find the sleepers, and I remember how much I love that one of the Chronicles of Narnia in particular (and all the rest, honestly. It’s not even my favorite). And Reepicheep! He’s absolutely the BEST. 

    A cover of one of the first editions of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader