So the Third Wave of snow everyone was predicting didn’t happen, the temperature has hovered for several days above freezing and, as you would expect, the capital is a total mess.  more

By the time Snowmageddon II hit, just four days after the first, the unusual good cheer and neighborliness of our-capital-under-siege had melted away–and its usual nasty temperament reasserted itself, with extra viciousness.  more

Washingtonians of certain zip codes and official levels are not accustomed to doing their yard work themselves. On spring and fall days I’ve watched crews swoop through the neighborhood, and wondered idly if the amnesty-for-illegals sentiment prevalent in the Capital stemmed in part from a congressman’s desire not to mow his own lawn. But Snowmageddon defeated even the illegals.  more

If I were any sort of intrepid correspondent, I would have begun this diary when the snow started last Friday. But oh, we were so happy then. Who knew that five days later, many of us would still be housebound — indeed, that this whole snow thing would feel older than the health care debate?  more

It was only my first day in Jerusalem, but I witnessed a miracle. As the sun set over the golden Dome of the Rock, I watched an Arab Sheik and an Israeli Rabbi pray together. Sorry, make that two Rabbis.  more

Last Hannukah, I blogged about shedding my Jewish inhibitions about decorating for the season, and decided to go all out celebrating “the festival of light.” This year I’ve gone further and crafted a “wreath”–in the shape of a Star of David.  more

Another great American dream has been shuttered, like the foreclosed mansions lining the seaside dunes of Long Island.  more

Leaks from a tell-all book by a one-time aide to John Edwards reveal that Edwards and his mistress, Rielle Hunter, made plans for a wedding to be held after Elizabeth Edwards died. These plans included a rooftop location in Manhattan and, for dancing, the Dave Matthews Band. I’ve put together a Dave Matthews playlist they might wish to consider.  more

My daughter did not know the Manhattan skyline before its two front teeth were knocked out. She can’t remember the orderly buzz of F-16s patrolling the airspace for months afterwards — a buzz that coincided with her 2 and 4 a.m. feedings during her first weeks of life. She doesn’t remember the beautiful and vivacious “Mrs. Olson” — nor the hysterical phone call that day from a mutual friend informing me of her death.  more

What is it about us middle-aged women that one day we are blurs of industry–running households, running offices, simply running–and the next we are in floppy sunhats, puttering about our yards and bending over small shrubs with pruning shears?  more

Twenty-one years (to the day) into my own marriage, I have to concede that if I’ve learned anything over time, it’s that the so-called traditional marriage is anything but traditional. When it works, it’s a bloody miracle.  more

Just the other day I asked my 15-year-old son if he’d like to visit the National Holocaust Museum.  He had a few days between the end of school and the launch of his summer plans. Our last visit to the museum has become something of a family “joke”:  A decade ago I took him (age   more

Over the past month or so, producers of two different reality show projects contacted me about series they planned to set in Washington, D.C. (where I live). In fact, there seems to be a multitude of reality show producers prowling the city, scouting all kinds of Capital “types”–young, attractive Hill staffers; gumshoe reporters; colorful   more

After posting my blog about Mary Ann Glendon yesterday, I was going to wade into the comment section, knife in teeth, to defend myself against the universal criticism that quickly went up.  But then I began to receive emails from my Catholic friends who, more gently and privately, took me to task for my views.  So   more

I am a longtime admirer of Mary Ann Glendon, a former Ambassador to the Holy See as well as a scholar and innovative thinker on women’s issues.  However, I was gobsmacked by her recent decision to refuse a prestigious award from Notre Dame because, as she discovered, she would have to share a podium with   more

About a month ago, my husband presented me with the new Kindle. It was not a gift, exactly. If there has ever been an issue in our marriage that might conceivably lead to divorce, it’s my treatment of books. Or rather, it’s his view of my treatment of books…
He accuses me of harboring a suppressed   more