Don’t Worry Everything Will Be Fine by Conlee Ricketts


[caption id="attachment_16929" align="alignleft" width="222"] In the shadow of fear[/caption] As a “grown up” the words, “it will all be O.K.” comforts me because I know—good or bad—the events of my life will roll along as they should. I learned though (the very hard way) that these words are just a big ...

Mommy’s Little Instruction Manual by Conlee Ricketts


Kids don’t come with instructions but parents should. All adults should really. I’ve know myself for 48 years now and I have explained myself to my daughter more than once in order to make sure she doesn’t take any of my ridiculous nonsense too seriously. Here’s my list of repeat offenders ...

Hers and Mine by Conlee Ricketts


I recently confessed to a friend that for the first nine years or so of my daughter’s life I would have to take some time to go off and cry every Christmas. I cried because I felt like I didn’t provide a “magical enough” Christmas. It took me a lot ...

My Crazy Fears by Conlee Ricketts


I have an irrational fear of bouillon cubes, chicken stock, and heavy cream. I’m not lying—this is one of my shameful truths. It’s a crippling fear. I shy away from glorious looking recipes because I see the words “bouillon cube” or “heavy cream” in the ingredients. That’s just crazy! Right? I ...

What Was She Thinking? by Conlee Ricketts


I enjoy finding the silver linings. You might call me a cautious optimist, but as I write this I am fully expecting to be here in Columbus missing Thanksgiving with my father, brother, his wife, one of my nieces and her husband. I had planned on being there for the ...

My Mom’s Crush by Conlee Ricketts


My mom loved Clark Gable. I knew this growing up because it was a running joke between my mom and dad. I never asked her about it but I should have. My mom died when I was 32 and she was 59. This was five years before I even had ...