Being a Fenske is a bit like being a member of a bizarre gang. We don’t wear matching bandannas or commit felonies, but we do have a complex set of rituals that make no sense to outsiders and must be strictly followed under the threat of death. Take phone calls, for instance. If I’m speaking with my parents or brother and the conversation starts to wrap up, here’s what you’ll…
There are ways to find humor in anything life hands you. Even rejection. That’s what we’re talking about this week at The Debutante Ball, and it’s a subject near and dear to my heart. If you’re not regular reader of my blog, Don’t Pet Me, I’m Writing, you might not know the story. For the sake of keeping it brief, here’s the short version: I took my first stab at…
My parents did an excellent job teaching me the importance of balanced nutrition. As an adult, I’ve added my own neurotic twist. All food groups must be represented in a meal. I start to twitch if there’s not a fruit or veggie on my plate, and I would cheerfully suck milk straight from the cow if it were the only way I could get my three servings of dairy. My…
For over a decade, I’ve been designing my own holiday cards. It started with a silly Photoshop job that made it look like my husband and I were hanging miniature versions of the family pets on the Christmas tree. Then there was the year I Photoshopped a rather bizarre mistletoe love-fest with the dogs French kissing and a cat humping my husband’s leg. There were innocent ones with the pets…
When I was two, my parents decided to give me a sibling. I was intrigued by the idea and relentless with my questions. How would they get the baby? Where would it come from? How long would the whole thing take? My parents dodged my questions at first. Then one day I was standing in line at a crowded Dairy Queen with my very pregnant mother. “I know where the…
The Debutante Ball is thrilled to welcome Jennifer Crusie to the dance! Jenny is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of twenty-one novels, one book of literary criticism, miscellaneous articles, essays, novellas, and short stories, and the editor of three essay anthologies. She lives on the Ohio River where she often stares at the ceiling and counts her blessings. Her latest book is Maybe This…
At the Debutante Ball this week, we’ve been blogging about favorite places. Since I have a filthy mind am a distinguished romance author, I don’t hear the phrase “my favorite place” and think of sandy beaches or comfy couches. I think of body parts. You will be shocked to learn this, but I occasionally write about kissing. Everyone who’s ever been kissed has a favorite place to be kissed. In…
