Articles

S.E. Livingston: The joys of the hug of Duluth

Dear Family, Last weekend Ernie treated me to a wedding anniversary trip to Minneapolis. It was a perfect weekend.

S.E. Livingston: Shall we build or repair?

Dear Family, I have made an amazing discovery that I dare anyone to prove wrong: Happy children learn more easily than unhappy ones.

Columns

S.E. Livingston: Does it have to be new to say ‘I love you’?

Am I a cheapskate? I bought my daughter’s birthday present at the resale shop.

S.E. Livingston: Rules of the game

I stopped worrying about how I was going to finish my day’s “to do” list and looked at my sons. They were shouting, running, laughing and leaping for the blasted fun of it.

S.E. Livingston: A cautionary tale of flaming candy

Several years ago, our family was subjected to a holiday scare for which we were unprepared. I cannot stress enough the importance of putting your children’s candy under the supervision of someone who is competent and cautious ... not necessarily a parent.

S.E. Livingston: BWCA: Bonding while canoeing about

Dear Family, “Is the Boundary Waters as fun as sugar?” asked Annie.

S.E. Livingston: The lights are off, but somebody is home

Our small group stopped on the road and looked at the broken glass spread in four directions.

S.E. Livingston: Don’t let your kids slack off

Dear Family, Do you barely have time to read the Budgeteer because you are hustling your kids to art camp, soccer games, gymnastics and sleepovers all in the name of making them well-rounded, confident, competent people?

S.E. Livingston: Heart-stopping night screams

Dear Family, Last week 9-year-old Will and 7-year-old Danny decided to camp out in our yard. Their dad and older brother were camping in the Quetico, and it was up to me to provide risk-taking opportunities.

The joys of the 'hug of Duluth'

It was very lovely, but after two days we missed our children, and we missed our Duluth. When the drive home brought us over the rim of Thompson Hill to view the bowl of Duluth and the finger of Lake Superior, Ernie and I both breathed deeply.

S.E. Livingston: Three cups of red plan tea

Dear Family, What would you rather do — carry a stack of two-by-fours up a 16-mile hill or pay a budget-bending property tax bill?

S.E. Livingston: Exotic spring break? Try ‘La Influenza’

Dear Family, I’m chagrined over the travel section of the Sunday newspaper.