How to Carve a Pumpkin–On the Occasion that You Need a Few Pointers

Dear Lily June, Once upon a time, in the 1800s, Scottish Highlanders who needed a distraction from cold winds creeping under… Read more How to Carve a Pumpkin–On the Occasion that You Need a Few Pointers

The Hand that Feeds You–On the Occasion that Love Bites

Dear Lily June, At only sixteen months, you are still a young toddler. You can’t, for instance, badger me about… Read more The Hand that Feeds You–On the Occasion that Love Bites

Phantom–On the Occasion that You Catch a Whiff

Dear Lily June, As we near October, please tell me, daughter–when will I stop smelling phantom poos in your very empty diaper? Love,… Read more Phantom–On the Occasion that You Catch a Whiff

Leaning into the Lyre–On the Occasion that You Need Hope

  Dear Lily June, I’ve probably said this to you before, but one major part of being a writer is being… Read more Leaning into the Lyre–On the Occasion that You Need Hope

From Under the Waves–On the Occasion that You Feel Alone

Dear Lily June, I am tempted not to tell you about days like today. Is there a way to say… Read more From Under the Waves–On the Occasion that You Feel Alone

Sentenced to 9 to 5–On the Occasion that You Find Yourself a Working (Poor) Mother

Dear Lily June, Conversations tend to acknowledge two kinds of acceptable–even noble–modern mothers. There are the endlessly creative, tirelessly crafty SAH… Read more Sentenced to 9 to 5–On the Occasion that You Find Yourself a Working (Poor) Mother

Hide and Seek–On the Occasion that You Need to Get Lost

Dear Lily June, I have been lost to this blog for almost a month. I have been absent from letter-writing lately, maybe… Read more Hide and Seek–On the Occasion that You Need to Get Lost

Smiling in the Rain–On the Occasion that You Find Yourself Wanting a Clean Beginning

Dear Lily June, If, by the time you can read these, I’m not saying it often enough or with nearly… Read more Smiling in the Rain–On the Occasion that You Find Yourself Wanting a Clean Beginning

To Binary or Not to Binary–On the Occasion that You Have to Use the Bathroom

Dear Lily June, Here’s a truth. Some people are born male and decide to stay that way. Some people are… Read more To Binary or Not to Binary–On the Occasion that You Have to Use the Bathroom

Another Day, Another 78 Cents–On the Occasion of Your Receiving the Best Compliment Ever

Dear Lily June, I mentioned this riddle to you once before, so consider this your pop quiz: A father and… Read more Another Day, Another 78 Cents–On the Occasion of Your Receiving the Best Compliment Ever