Essays by Karen Anderson

We are sitting on the couch by the light of the Christmas tree, drinking tea and eating frosted Santa Clauses.

On the value of having a default cause: something to blame, something fairly blameless, neutral, available.

When the opportunity came to pledge a sorority, I seized it.

We all know that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are listed in the Declaration of Independence as “inalienable rights.” But why? Why that?

Karen Anderson reflects on being told to "slow down" in retirement. (She'll let you know when she does.)

When my daughter was 24, she was diagnosed with cancer and given a grim prognosis.

I’m having lunch with a friend and ask about a man we both know. She answers matter-of-factly. “Oh, he died of a heart attack a few years ago.”

What I need, I thought, is to see someone I know who’s a cat person, but the store was full of strangers.

If we are parents, we raise our children with the goal that they will grow up and leave our home to make a life for themselves.

Dick points behind me and I turn slowly to see twin fawns scampering out of the woods into the wide meadow next to our campsite.