Chicago, John Hughes, Travel

Walking in John Hughes Footsteps: Movie Locations & Addresses

First published August 3, 2015 I wrote a piece for Chicago Parent about John Hughes in January 2015, including addresses such as his former home, the cemetery where he is buried, and his favorite pizza restaurant. Then, one late May night, my friend Jen and her boyfriend George were walking around Lake Forest, Illinois, looking… Continue reading Walking in John Hughes Footsteps: Movie Locations & Addresses

Chicago, Family, Friends, Humor, Life, Menopause, Photography, Travel

The Day I Ran Away From Home

My husband works long hours. With my perimenopause symptoms, headaches, and the kids' schedules, this year has been difficult. Especially in the last few weeks. Lots of tears, frustration, temper tantrums, and storms from the morning until the lights went out at night. I literally turned off my phone after my youngest got off the… Continue reading The Day I Ran Away From Home

Chicago, Humor, John Hughes, Menopause

Channeling Mr. Hughes

I know you think there's something wrong with me. You can nod your heads as you read this because a part of me wonders if there's something wrong with me as I try to recreate my adolescent years by sitting at a dead director's grave and writing for hours on end. But it was this… Continue reading Channeling Mr. Hughes

Childhood, Family, Life

The Greatest Man I Always Knew

One of my favorite songs is Reba McEntire's "The Greatest Man I Never Knew," which is about a troubled relationship between a father and his daughter. "The greatest man I never knew Came home late every night He never had too much to say Too much was on his mind I never really knew him… Continue reading The Greatest Man I Always Knew

Childhood, Friends, Life, Menopause

Stay Beautiful

Lately, I have been feeling like shit. You all know it and my closest family and friends know it too. I am going through a mix of something in between perimenopause and seasonal hatred that needs to be diagnosed quickly before I buy a yacht or 70s psychedelic food truck or some tragic outfit like… Continue reading Stay Beautiful