The stories that a nation tells about its history provide a foundation for building community, creating institutions and transmitting values. For a pluralistic democracy such as the United States, the work that historians call "constructing a usable past" is vital to the task of building a future.

Many of us live in diverse communities where we interact with a culturally diverse group of people, but because I work in the downtown core in a large, metropolitan city, I understand that for some their racial tolerance has a short expiry date, ending at 5pm on Friday afternoons. Once they get off the commuter train and reach their homes in the suburbs, that tolerance goes out the window. But in this day and age, I'm of the opinion that anyone who has issues with their children dating or marrying across racial lines should have raised them in a forest or under a rock.

Don't you ever feel a little jealous of the fancy British women that get to wear fancy little hats to equestrian events and such? Is it just me? Okay, maybe I don't want to wear a two-foot-high fascinator, but I think that a little bit of hair bling doesn't hurt anybody. Michelle Obama nearly single-handedly brought back the brooch with her vintage and vintage-inspired statement pins, but I confess I'm still not apt to wear a big brooch on my sweater. But in my hair? That's a trend I can get behind.

Physical changes. Exhaustion. Fights. Late nights. Early mornings. Weight gain. Money worries. Busy schedules. Sounds sexy, doesn't it? You'd think once you get partnered up with someone, the sex would be easy, accessible and free-flowing. Or at least not a chore. So why are so many mommies lacking in libido? The explanation may have nothing to do with you or your physical make-up and everything to do with your schedule. Put down the K-Y and let's discuss.

In the weeks since the January 12th earthquake that rocked the island of Haiti, there has been a tremendous increase in adoption inquiries.  As the rest of the world watches, we cannot help but hurt and hope and desperately seek ways to help.  Pictures of orphans and news stories of destruction cause us all to want to grab a passport and come home with as many children possible.It is normal.Yet, it is not practical.  At this point in time, it is also not best. 

"Raise a glass to mend," scrawls Lady Gaga on a t-shirt she's selling for Valentine's Day, "all the broken hearts of my wrecked up friends." We've heard -- and heaven knows seen -- lots of over-the-top-rawness from this performer lately. But how much is designed to sell t-shirts and how much is actually real?

When I was preparing for motherhood I learned so many new and fascinating things. For instance, I needed to monitor the number of times my son peed and pooped. I also had to figure out the right amount of time between diaper changes. If it is a little wet, do I change him? Or do I wait?

John is gone and has been for weeks; he won’t be home still for some time. It’s okay. I miss him and Braden misses him, but the truth is that we’re used to him being away a lot. We have a rhythm we get into while he’s away.

As has been true for the past few years, the football was more interesting than the commercials during this year's Super Bowl. Nevertheless, I, like many, sat down eager to watch both the game and the ads.

You can't stop thinking about them. You know how they talk and how they walk. You can even read their thoughts. It's L-O-V-E. There's just one teeny, tiny problem. They aren't real. You are crushing on a literary character.

It wasn't until recently that I became interested in decorating. When I was living with my sisters throughout my late teens to mid-twenties, doing anything with my apartment other than the bare minimum wasn't something that ever crossed my mind. As long as I had furniture that looked all right, a TV and computer, something on the walls...I was good to go. Things have changed since then. I'm much more interested in how things are put together. All the options we have. Colors, fabrics, furniture, lighting.

A good friend is someone who will call you out on your stuff - kindly, lovingly and, most of all, honestly. A good friend did this for me the other day. She pointed out that I seem to be overthinking and that it was leading me to inertia. Inertia is a fancy word for being stuck.