http://janamanna.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Jana M. en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:35:00 GMT 2010-01-08T23:35:00Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977931486 Having descended from a long and noble line of literary nerds, it shouldn’t be surprising that I’m fascinated with books.  I love the stories they impart, the images they . . . Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:18:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977931486 Jana M. 2009-12-05T00:18:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977890740 This week I had the chance to attend a reading by one of my favorite authors.  Of course it was great and so was the Q & A afterwards.  But I had a question and didn’t ask it – . . . Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:50:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977890740 Jana M. 2009-11-08T07:50:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977846355 “What’s for dinner?”  If only I had a dollar for every time someone asked me that.  Between the picky-eater kids and the suspicious-eater husband, I’d be rich!  . . . Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:46:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977846355 Jana M. 2009-10-09T19:46:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977796201 I'm having a hard time with the girls' bedroom door.  Oh sure, it opens up fine and it closes like it's supposed to.  The knob turns and the latch fits.  So what's the problem?  . . . Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:47:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977796201 Jana M. 2009-09-01T19:47:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977765598 Since my last posting, I’ve decided it's time to go on a diet.  Again.  I pulled out all the diet books that have accumulated on my shelves over the years.  Some were best-sellers . . . Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:01:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977765598 Jana M. 2009-08-06T23:01:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977752563 Oven-hot weather is forecast for the whole next week.  Really, I’m not kidding.    You know what this means?  Cankles and duckles.  Cankles and duckles, . . . Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:57:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977752563 Jana M. 2009-07-27T18:57:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977737305 Only here could I admit to being a plural wife.  No, not in that sense.  Today, I stepped on the scale and I weight exactly twice what I did on my wedding day.  There's two of me!  . . . Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:07:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977737305 Jana M. 2009-07-14T22:07:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977712829 So my "baby" girl graduated from high school two weeks ago.   Cue the nostalgic mood music.   It was just yesterday that she let me do her hair, pick out her clothes, and buckle her into a . . . Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:40:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977712829 Jana M. 2009-06-16T18:40:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977694684 A birthday is like a personal mugger that's hiding right around the corner just for you.   It waits patiently, approaches carefully and attacks gleefully!   Quick as a wink you're older. . . . Thu, 28 May 2009 23:10:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977694684 Jana M. 2009-05-28T23:10:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977677473 I'm notoriously cheap.   Pinching pennies and stretching dollars are my modus operandi.   Once in a while I go a little crazy, though.   Every now and then I come across a BOGO sale. . . . Fri, 08 May 2009 18:15:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977677473 Jana M. 2009-05-08T18:15:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977619623 Using the L-word too early in a new relationship is generally a big mistake.   However, in this case I'm willing to risk it.   I love...my new pillow!   As pillows go, it's just . . . Tue, 10 Mar 2009 18:16:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977619623 Jana M. 2009-03-10T18:16:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977561424 The Triple Axel, a dangerous jumping spinning daredevil ice-skating trick known to thrill audiences and judges alike.   I can only imagine the skater's relief when it goes well and I can imagine . . . Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:30:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977561424 Jana M. 2009-01-13T00:30:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977543887 Snow days, the stuff of wintry legend.   I grew up in southeastern Idaho where snow days didn't exist, mostly because no adult believed in them just like they didn't believe in Excalibur . . . Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:21:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977543887 Jana M. 2008-12-24T00:21:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977537428 What's your favorite part of the holiday season?   Fudge?   Greeting cards?   Scotch tape?   Personally, I'm a sucker for Christmas lights.   Whether the light strings . . . Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:42:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977537428 Jana M. 2008-12-16T22:42:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977531745 One of those rare planetary and paycheck alignments happened so my husband and I went out to lunch.   We scored our favorite booth at our favorite Chinese restaurant and our favorite entrée just . . . Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:48:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977531745 Jana M. 2008-12-10T20:48:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977518615 Considering that it's Thanksgiving, I've decided now's the time to count my blessings.   Financially, it's tight all over so should I count my spare change instead? . . . Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:58:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977518615 Jana M. 2008-11-26T17:58:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977497567 I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a commercial break.   No, not the kind where you book it to the fridge for a cold diet soda before your favorite show is back on.   I'm . . . Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:24:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977497567 Jana M. 2008-11-04T17:24:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977483835 Hi, my name is Jana and I'm a Halloweenie.   I love Halloween and wait for it with more anticipation than any other holiday because I don't have to buy anyone a gift or send anyone a card. . . . Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:34:04 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977483835 Jana M. 2008-10-20T23:34:04Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977467082 PB and J on white, grilled cheese on sourdough, and tuna salad on wheat are the sandwiches of my life, go-to comfort foods.   That is a somewhat limited list, isn't it, considering the wondrous . . . Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:22:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977467082 Jana M. 2008-10-03T21:22:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977456214 Haven't you always heard that the shortest distance between Point A and Point B is a straight line?   From ancient seafarers to westward pioneers, this was commonsense knowledge.   Modern-day . . . Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:58:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977456214 Jana M. 2008-09-22T22:58:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977452784 Nothing brings on a bad case of baby talk like a new puppy - it's practically instamatic and completely overwhelming.   A mere moment in the presence of an adorably fuzzy canine tyke with bright . . . Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:17:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977452784 Jana M. 2008-09-18T23:17:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977449598   I recently read an interview given by Stephenie Meyer, author of the very successful Twilight series, and she said the whole story started with a dream of a sparkly vampire arguing with a dark-haired . . . Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:28:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977449598 Jana M. 2008-09-15T17:28:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977430323 After two weeks of couch-potato Olympic coverage, I can definitely say I'm not moving swifter, higher or stronger.   But I am in awe of the athletes who can!   It's amazing what the . . . Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:19:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977430323 Jana M. 2008-08-25T23:19:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977428110 Summertime here in the Pacific Northwest is always a dicey affair, and this summer the weather dice have certainly been tossed around.  Every variety of weather has made an appearance, making every . . . Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:42:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977428110 Jana M. 2008-08-22T22:42:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977424371 Are you a shopper?  I'm not.  I hate shopping -- especially for Christmas gifts and groceries because no one ever likes what I buy.  I grit my teeth every time the mall is mentioned.  . . . Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:14:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977424371 Jana M. 2008-08-18T19:14:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977413724 "The calf's loose!" "The barbecue's tipping!" "The lawn's on fire!" This truly memorable dinner moment started out innocently enough.  The whole . . . Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:47:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977413724 Jana M. 2008-08-04T21:47:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977413722 "The calf's loose!" "The barbecue's tipping!" "The lawn's on fire!" This truly memorable dinner moment started out innocently enough.  The whole . . . Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:46:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977413722 Jana M. 2008-08-04T21:46:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977413715 "The calf's loose!" "The barbecue's tipping!" "The lawn's on fire!" This truly memorable dinner moment started out innocently enough.  The whole . . . Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:39:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977413715 Jana M. 2008-08-04T21:39:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977406596 I wonder what my pioneer ancestors would think if they could see me today with all of my modern conveniences.  Would they like air conditioning and ice in the door?  Considering the summer temperatures . . . Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:15:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977406596 Jana M. 2008-07-25T23:15:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977335137 Once upon a time, my husband knew what to do with the rest of his life.  Rick wanted to be a teacher.  There wasn't a doubt in his mind about his future when he graduated from high school . . . Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:30:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977335137 Jana M. 2008-04-29T23:30:50Z