I have a friend who travels a lot in Mexico, and the last time she was there she brought me back a Zapatista doll dressed in traditional colors and wearing a balaclava. It was one of those things I didn’t know I needed until I found out it existed. “What is that?” Jessica asks, which…

   Dakota, my big malamute, is straining at the leash, pulling me forward.  But Jessica, my young daughter, is dawdling ten steps behind. As usual, Taz and I are caught in the middle.  Taz, my mid-size, part-cocker spaniel, part-chow mutt, stands patiently by my left foot while I sort the others out.  I tell Dakota,…

I am looking at the neurosurgeon’s business card. I’m supposed to call the number this morning to schedule Jessica’s surgery. I will talk to June, whom I have talked to before, and she will be very kind, and it will be very easy, in the sense that she will not be a pain in the…

Jess has the conversational style of an investigative journalist. “It’s a nice day,” I’ll say, and she’ll respond, “What makes you say that?” I’ll point to the blue sky, and the shining sun, and she’ll nod, accepting the evidence I have presented. “This is a great song,” I’ll say, but it’s not enough to express…