Homecoming: Not Just for High School

On our latest weekly roundup, a delicious fundraiser benefitting the library where Catherine works prompted us to talk about clever ways to solicit donations (and how involved parents get in the process).What we're watching: We started Netflix's Ripley, a series based on the 1999 movie The Talented Mr. Ripley, with episodes 1 ("A Hard Man to Find") and 2 ("Seven Mercies"). In the series, the characters are aged up and the color is drained out for a you-can't-miss-it moodiness. We didn't love it (listen in to hear why) but we'll keep going.Catherine's library find this week is from the quirky nonfiction category: Dogland: Passion, Glory and Lots of Slobber at the Westminster Dog Show by Tommy Tomlinson. It's a perfect audiobook for Terri, except she'll miss out on pictures of doggies.In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed kids in public places (May 10, 2023), gestures of generosity (May 9, 2022), and what we'd do with villa-in-Italy riches (May 12, 2016). Mentioned: Best in Show; "Craig"  by Walker Hayes.​Next week, we'll watch the next two episodes of Ripley, “Sommerso” and “La Dolce Vita.” Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, our resident Swiftie gives her review of The Tortured Poets Department. Mentioned: The video for the song "Fortnight," with Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles (of Dead Poets Society ... get it?). What we're watching: We came to the end of Reservation Dogs and we're so sad about it. But the final pair of episodes ("Elora's Dad" and "Dig") were a beautiful celebration of family and community and the perfect way to go out.Catherine's library find this week is Monster's New Undies. Check out a read-aloud so you can appreciate the rhymes from Samantha Berger along with the illustrations by Tad Carpenter. Plus, a follow-up to previous library find Butt or Face: There's a sequel, Butt or Face: Revenge of the Butts!In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed pre-pandemic peeves (April 29, 2020), trade-in values (April 29, 2019, and the hardest thing to give up (May 2, 2016). Mentioned: Seinfeld complains about cheek-kissing; Forever My Girl.​Next week, we'll start watching the new Netflix series Ripley. We'll watch the first two episodes, “A Hard Man to Find” and “Seven Mercies.” Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Catherine's daughter defended her thesis project, and Catherine actually got to watch it from another time zone.What we're watching: Reservation Dogs creeps closer to the finish line with another pair of lovely episodes, "Wahoo!" and "Send It." We enjoy all the interactions among various generations and among both the living and the spirit worlds.Catherine's library find this week is an older documentary entitled Obit. Life on Deadline, which highlights the work of obituary writers at the New York Times. Mentioned: The Times' Overlooked project and another NYT-related documentary, Bill Cunningham: New York.In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed dental dilemmas (April 24, 2019), the prom (April 25, 2019 and April 24, 2023), tensions and transitions with adult kids (April 26, 2023), and generation gaps (April 27, 2023). Mentioned: Taylor Swift's new album, "The Tortured Poets Department."​Next week, we'll return to Reservation Dogs for the final two episodes of season 3, E9 ("Elora's Dad") and E10 ("Dig"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, we belatedly share our experiences with recent natural phenomena. Don't worry, Terri survived the Great New Jersey Earthquake. Mentioned: Catherine's report on the August 2017 solar eclipse.What we're watching: Thanks to our two-by-two watch schedule, we got a perfect pair of Reservation Dogs episodes this week. "House Made of Bongs" flashed back to 1976, and a fateful outing for Maximus, Bucky, Brownie, Irene, Mabel, and Fixico. Then "Frankfurter Sandwich" reassembled several members of that generation to spend time with Cheese out in the woods.Catherine's library find this week is the recently published Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten by Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. Arachnophobes should look away, but everyone else will be charmed by this adorable critter.In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed dealing with kids' homework (April 17, 2019); our kids' obsessions (April 18, 2019); and kids' stuff side hustles (April 18, 2022). Mentioned: Taylor Swift playlists and a Joe Diffie Hixtape.​Next week, we'll return to Reservation Dogs season 3, E7 ("Wahoo!") and E8 ("Send It"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, we find that we're still involved in "youth" sports, even though our kids are well past the age of T-ball and tot soccer.What we're watching: Reservation Dogs season 3 brought two very different episodes. "Deer Lady" gave us both the origin story of this character and a gut-wrenching look at Indian boarding school history. "Friday" bought comic relief with a day at the IHS clinic as the kids served their punishment for running away to California.Catherine's library find this week is Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead, the epic tale of a female aviator born in 1914. It's complex, sweeping, and full of adventure. Mentioned: Previous pick The Strange Case of Dr. Couney.In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed saying no to naysaying (April 10, 2019); people asking us for help (April 11, 2017); and how we treat ourselves (April 14, 2016). Mentioned: The movie Champions, a PSA starring its actor Madison Tevlin, and a post Terri wrote on the same topic; Oat Nog and Oats Overnight.​Next week, we'll return to Reservation Dogs season 3, E5 ("House Made of Bongs") and E6 ("Frankfurter Sandwich"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Terri has been spiffing up her office by returning the walls to their original blank slate and adding a coffee and tea station. Mentioned: Electric kettles from Amazon Basics and Cuisinart.What we're watching: We return to Reservation Dogs for season 3. The first two episodes, "BUSSIN'" and "Maximus," give Bear his spotlight and his odyssey into oddity and wisdom.Catherine's library find this week is a follow-up to The World's Best Class Plant: This time, we meet Rick the Rock of Room 214, who wants to leave the classroom and go on an adventure out in the world. Rick's creators are author by Julie Falatko and illustrator Ruth Chan. Mentioned: Pet Rocks.In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed birthday celebrations for big kids (April 5, 2023); family financial planning (April 4, 2022); and the last photo on our phones (April 6, 2017). Mentioned: IFoundaQuiltedHeart.com.​Next week, we'll return to Reservation Dogs season 3, E3 ("Deer Lady") and E4 ("Friday"). Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, Terri (a true Senior Swiftie) is watching the Eras Tour on Disney+ and marveling at the spectacle.What we're watching: Also a spectacle, of a different kind, is season 3 of Girls5Eva. The gang goes on tour and tremendous silliness ensues, as you would expect from this show. Mentioned: Joe Reid at This Had Oscar Buzz.Catherine's library find this week is a nonfiction series for kids called Whose Poo?. It's yet another example of smart people figuring out how to teach science and encourage reluctant readers through bodily functions.In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed how to ruin kids' lives (March 25, 2019); anger management (March 26, 2018); and parent-friendly restaurant ratings (March 27, 2015). Mentioned: Annie Kurzweg and The Leighton Show on Instagram, HARDY's the mockingbird and THE CROW album, "Song for the Dumped" by Ben Folds Five, "Ben Franklin's Song" by the Decemberists, and an upcoming AppleTV+ series on Franklin.​Next week, we'll return to Reservation Dogs for season 3. We'll watch the first two episodes: "BUSSIN'" and "Maximus." Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, we are still trying to teach our kids about conveying urgency in their texts.What we're watching: We finished season 2 of Reservation Dogs with episodes 9 ("Offerings") and 10 ("I Still Believe"), two more opportunities to weep through our laughter and cheer on the Rez Dogs as they finally make it all the way to California.Catherine's library find this week is a sweet picture book called The World's Best Class Plant by Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao, and starring a surprisingly cool spider plant named Jerry.In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed the perils of punctuality (March 18, 2021); (not) following your passion (March 18, 2020); and the sting of rejection (March 19, 2018). Mentioned: "I'm Just Ken" at the Oscars; our episode Working Hard, or Hardly Working?.​Next week, we'll watch Girls5Eva (which has moved to Netflix) and talk about all of season 3. Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, we start with a cautionary tale about baking your own bread: It could lead to an ER visit.What we're watching: On season 2 of Reservation Dogs, episodes 7 ("Stay Gold Cheesy Boy") and 8 ("This Is Where the Plot Thickens") could not have been more different. One focused on Cheese and his big heart, and the other on Big and an unintentional acid trip that led to some real-life trippiness. We'd watch #7 again and again, and are delighted that it's in the Extra Hot Great Canon. But once was enough for #8.Catherine's library find this week is The Strange Case of Dr. Couney: How a Mysterious European Showman Saved Thousands of American Babies by Dawn Raffel. It caught her eye because the author was one of Catherine's bosses at her first job after college. Plus, it does sound like a fascinating tale. Mentioned: Empire of the Sum and Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close.In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed a clickbait complaint (March 15, 2023); unsound sleep (March 14, 2019); and memorable birthdays (March 15, 2018). ​Next week, we'll watch the final two episodes of Reservation Dogs, season 2: E9 “Offerings" and E10 “I Still Believe.” Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.

On our latest weekly roundup, what happened in Vegas didn't stay there, as Catherine reported on her recent trip. Mentioned: Omega Mart.What we're watching: We continued with season 2 of Reservation Dogs with episodes 5 and 6: "Wide Net" and "Decolonativization." We learned a little more about the aunties as they headed to an out-of-town conference, and an earnest pair of workshop presenters tried to help the teens learn more about themselves (without much success).Catherine's library find this week, Slug in Love by Rachel Bright with illustrations by Nadia Shireen, prompted mention of other slug and pug books (Slug Needs a Hug, Doug the Pug, Pig the Pug) as well as reminiscences about some other faves, like Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo, both written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.In the archives, we revisit episodes in which we discussed neverending household tasks (March 10, 2021); launching a young adult (March 7, 2019); and Girl Scout cookies (March 8, 2018). A correction: Last week, Catherine said she had learned of a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert scheduled for the afternoon. Turns out, the band in question was the Red Hot Chilli PIPERS, which makes a lot more sense (and frankly sounds a lot more fun).​Next week, we'll watch the next two episodes of Reservation Dogs, season 2: E7 “Stay Gold Cheesy Boy" (which has been inducted into the Extra Hot Great Canon) and E8 “This Is Where the Plot Thickens.” Until then (and anytime you're in need), the archives are available.