Melanie recounts her experience growing up as a Jewish girl, despite her mother’s efforts to hide that identity from the outside world.

Sometimes the writing doesn’t come so easily. When that happens, Melanie tries writing about NOT writing.

Does this happen at any age, or did these episodes increase as my hair turned gray?

When thinking about coveted books when I was growing up, I realized there were only a few.

Have you ever thought of what life would be like if kisses had never existed? A musing on how our mouths created one of the best things about love.

When traveling by airplane, what are you supposed to do when your seatmate is showing signs of distress?

No one’s crazy about standing in line. Why should you be? But then, maybe there are some good reasons. 

At the start of this new year, we’re full of hope. Not just for ourselves, but for the people and the planet.