12/09/02:Routine behavior
Chaotic family rituals rarely duplicated

12/02/02:A root of evil
Once you're immersed in compromise, it gets harder to recognize moral dilemma

11/25/02:Where'd that come from?
Child's 'violent' behavior learned away from home - surely not

11/18/02:Life set to music
Lyrical backdrop to daily existence accompanies us through sap, sad, sardonic


11/11/02:In a family way
Price of a Slurpee: One not-so sloppy kiss

11/04/02:Masked fear
Halloween 2002 memories too vivid to be recounted by sibling years from now

10/28/02:Tricked into treats
Halloween's not as fun when scariest thing is the price tag on store-bought costumes

10/21/02:Benched
Sometimes you wish the other team would take their ball and go home

10/14/02:Do I get a watch?
Surely there's a pen-and-pencil set for keeping a job 30 months straight

10/07/02:Bad-boy attitude
Son's smug demeanor not his fault; blame the women in the man's life

09/30/02:Welcome to my world
Dynamics of Weaver household proves chaos theory's no theory

09/23/02:Fighting intimidation
Victims who refuse to speak up are just as cowardly as the bullies

09/16/02:Lead us not
Spawn of Field Generals leave authority figures lying in the trenches

09/09/02:Oh, come on!
Bush hoodwinking the public right and left

09/02/02:The cat's meow
Once indifferent pet acquaintance now eating out of their paws

08/26/02:Chaotic world of multiples
A few tips from the expert for the soon-to-be parents of twins

08/19/02:Liar, liar
Admit, everyone does it no matter how 'good' they appear to be

08/12/02:Father-in-law's nightmare
In the manly man's world of oil, there was no need for formal dismissal

08/05/02:Only chance
Plaintiff's attorneys may be the one saving grace for those wronged by big business

07/29/02:Twist of fate

07/22/02:Hello, former classmates

07/15/02:In the pond of life

07/08/02:It's not an accident
Whether you're at the height of fashion or the bottom rung, it's all a deliberate choice

07/01/2002 -On the surface
If you knew all the facts, would your friend become an enemy, vice versa?

06/24/2002 -Kids these days!
Hippies who sang of peace, freedom, hair now intolerant, part of the establishment

06/17/2002 -Don't sugar-coat it
Family displayed none of the trappings of wealth, certainly not in the candy dish

06/10/2002 -Not wild about pets
Last thing a family of six needs: another animate object making a mess

06/03/2002 -Finding the comfort zone
When change comes, there's one of two options: Go forward or go back

05/27/2002 -Sounding desperate Defending Bush, without flogging Clinton, becoming harder for right-wingers to do

05/20/2002 -Got things to say
Friends, graduates, proud parents, lend me your ears

05/13/2002 -A life to treasure
Linked not by blood but by love, 'Mary' reaches out to reconnect with her family

05/06/2002 -Signs of brilliance
Toddlers' expanding vocabulary prove they're perhaps gifted, definitely crafty

04/29/2002 -What a pill
Hyper-active, easily distracted children something parents, teachers must deal with

04/22/2002 -Who would've known?
Seemingly demeaning job had its benefits: steady hours, steady pay, cheese crackers

04/15/2002 -A tail tale
Third strike landed on vulnerable side of life


04/08/2002 -At last, success
Silence was golden opportunity to steer toward another career

04/01/2002 -A working writer
Stint at ghostwriting college papers a stepping stone to journalism career

03/25/2002 -The beginning
Oddly enough, karaoke kick lead to career in writing

03/18/2002 -Music to my ears
Pint-sized daughter turns out to be a full-fledged, fellow headbanger

03/11/2002 -Alone in a crowd
Companion junkie constantly in search of a quick friendship fix

03/04/2002 -When Dad is 'on'
Methodical approach to life's chores proves to be anything but a bore

02/25/2002 -Once large, in charge
Age-old, independent bravado gives way to beaten-down mound of self doubt

02/18/2002 -With a Teflon coating
Dad survives any character attacks with rock-solid self-esteem in tact

02/11/2002 -Master of intimidation
Dad took wicked pleasure in making every person avoid crossing his path

02/04/2002 -A tale to tell
Children's lives a book of rewrites that keep parent turning the pages

01/28/2002 -Keeping your vows
With enough questionable characteristics, there's no reason to make up stuff

01/21/2002 -Big hairy deal
Coming clean on dishwashing methods in hopes of letting debate run the cycle

01/14/2002 -To each my own
Hardheaded? Picky? Set in my ways? No, it's just that my way is better

01/07/2002 -An adventure
It's a job trying to find the perfect profession

12/31/2001 -Promises, promises
Making New Year's resolutions acknowledges minute imperfections

12/24/2001 -Playing solitaire
Let there be peace on Earth, but leave the 'quiet' on the doorstep

12/17/2001 -'Me first'
Christmas list void of materialism would be music to my ears

12/10/2001 -How precious
Precocious children give you enough strange behavior to satisfy your appetite

12/03/2001 -Take me to your leader
Welcome mat rolled out for any aliens who might be in the vicinity


11/26/2001 -Laundry list of living
'California Dreaming,' Grand Canyon appear on life resume, super model does not


11/19/2001 -Words to live by
Take time to smell the roses, unless you're paid by the hour

11/12/2001 -Almost famous
Being with the band a man's thrill, even if talent doesn't come with the perks

11/05/2001 -Skirting the rules
Multitude of regulations makes toeing the line a hat dance

10/29/2001 -Intellectual smackdown
Silver-tongued devil resurrected to address hot-button issues

10/22/2001 -Divine interpretation
Introduction to organized religion leaves her looking for God in all the wrong places

10/15/2001 -Pigskin pre-nup
Marriage vows for sports fan include: Love, honor, obey ... cherish football

10/08/2001 -Don't bug me!
If it's not human or won't come when called, it must be squashed

10/01/2001 -Wrong guy for the job
Tool time means time to call for backup

09/24/2001 - A way of life
Are you squandering your freedom? Am I?

09/17/2001 - Keeping a straight face
Hair-trigger sense of humor silenced by nation's grief, loss

09/12/2001 - A Moment in Time-Day's normalcy abruptly comes to a halt

09/10/2001 - Hold that thought
Forgetfulness sends day into spiraling disarray

09/03/2001 - No idle chitchat
Genes put family conversations in high gear

08/27/2001 - Playing grownup
Each passing birthday yet to deliver the gift of adulthood

08/20/2001 - What a rush
Start of school meant sanctuary, socializing, a joyful end to summer