I'm a self professed candle addict and I can't walk by a candle store without going in to take a look. Who am I kidding? I never just look. I always need one more candle that makes my home smell like I just baked an apple pie. 

With all the candle scents that have been created, I thought about coming up with my own. Not sure if there'd be any best sellers in there but we all can't have a candle called "Paradise" burning all the time.

Most people don't think about singledom and kids in the same train of thought. But the fact that I don't want kids of my own doesn't mean I don't like kids. I'll admit I'm not all that great with little kids (for that matter, I'm not great with anyone, of any age, that isn't capable of being particularly rational), but one of the reasons I love my job as a professor is that I get to constantly interact with young people... Kay Trimberger points out that many happily single women have strong relationships with younger people...

Last year, I started painting likenesses directly on handmade canvas totes, making the bags to match their owners. At the time, a certain someone advised me regarding my portable portraits. She expressed her opinion with a charmingly condescending preface: "if I was your art mommy, I would tell you that the bags cheapen the rest of your oeuvre." I shudder to think of this woman as my mommy in any capacity, and especially in art, but she did force me to come to terms with what might be one response to the You Bag.

According to Nonprofitist.org's post, How Many International Nonprofits Can You Count? there are 1.4 million nonprofits in the United States. Charity Governance reports that, "For the period from October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007 (fiscal year 2007), the IRS received 85,771 applications for recognition of Section 501(c)(3) status."

That's a lot of nonprofits, many that are doing similar work and competing for funding from foundations and individual donors.

To celebrate, and learn about best practices in nonprofit collaborations, the Lodestar Foundation has launched a $250,000 Collaboration Prize:

I have observed that when dogs see other dogsand cats see other cats, they rub against each other and touch.  As a human being, there were times in my life when I went months even years without being touched by anyone, not only sexually but humanely.  I have also been in situations were it seemed appropriate to give a fellow/sister human a hug but because of the setting or not knowing them, I didn't.  I think many of us suffer tremendous skin hunger in this society.

 "Kindness is good.  Kindness is wise.  Kindness is necessary."

On Wednesday Justine Henin announced she would be retiring from tennis. This surprised me for two reasons. The first reason I was surprised is because she is only 25 years old. The reason I was really shocked is because Justine Henin was ranked #1 by the WTA.

She is going out on top.

But wow. This was really unexpected.

I don't know about you, but I'm floored. For her to retire is one thing. For her to retire right before the French Open, which she loves and which she's won four times is shocking...

I really love those cute baby clothes, and the cuddly blankies, and all the baby gear; but storing it in the attic or in the basement is probably not the best idea. Instead, why not put together a donation box of gently used items for a couple of great organizations that help needy families.

Last week I blogged about my family's emotional response to moving, now I feel the need to dish about house hunting. Aye yi yi. House hunting is worse than car shopping or swim suit shopping, a lot worse.

Let me bring you up to speed, just in case you don't know my life story....

In the next two weeks, it will be my honor to talk to actress, author, and activist Calpernia Addams for an upcoming podcast! Please submit your questions, comments, and thoughts to guide the interview in the comments section.


Born genitally male, Ms. Addams served for four years as a field medical combat specialist (HM 8404) in the Navy and with the Marines during the first Gulf War. Upon her return as a decorated war veteran, set out to become one of the top showgirls in Tennessee. During one of her popular performances at a nightclub in Nashville, Calpernia met Pfc. Barry Winchell. Winchell was one of those exceptional human beings who truly loved a person for who she is, not what her physical manifestation dictates. According to an an article in The New York Times: