Books, lip balm, reading glasses and toothpicks

Reading glasses on a stack of books next to a highlighter and lip balm container

You can tell a lot about people by what you find lying around in their home. As was well documented in last week’s installment on lighting, (if you did not read that hilarious post, do yourself a favor and go back and do so now before proceeding. It’s OK, we’ll wait…) the gradual influx of … Continue reading Books, lip balm, reading glasses and toothpicks

The best Mother’s Day gift

A mom on a bench with her three young sons

If your algorithms are anything like mine, they have been serving you a steady diet of Mother’s Day gift guides, jokes and memes for the last few weeks. I am into it. I need all the help I can get to plan and execute a meaningful Mother’s Day for my mom and the mother of … Continue reading The best Mother’s Day gift

Celebrating all the things all at once

A young couple in front of a brick wall

In a time before memory, decisions were made that caused the first weekend in May to fill to overflowing each year. It’s particularly acute this year as we try to squeeze in our 28th wedding anniversary, our middle child’s 20th birthday, moving said child back home for the summer from college and working commencement for … Continue reading Celebrating all the things all at once

The incredible journey of Archibald Wallace

A black and white miniature poodle standing on a hardwood floor

As I write this week’s post, a 20-pound black and white purebred miniature parti poodle warms my lap. Archie seems to be right at home but has indicated I need more surface area to provide a stable napping surface. He recently came into our home, upending our routines, stretching our patience and growing our capacity … Continue reading The incredible journey of Archibald Wallace

The Official Wallace Family Christmas Letter 2024

A family on the beach

Dear Faithful Readers and Adoring Fans (all three of you), Because of the overwhelming demand for more insider gossip from the first family of New South Essays, I am once again releasing the official Wallace family Christmas letter through this wildly popular platform. Last year’s clickbait edition generated so much traffic that it’s clear our … Continue reading The Official Wallace Family Christmas Letter 2024