And all that time you thought you knew what you were doing.

Is it possible to feel growing pains when you’re about to turn 40?

I think, "who is the loneliest monk," and I smile wryly to myself, wondering if it’s me.

For as much as I relish the quiet time to focus and the chance to avoid being tempted into eating cheeseburgers, the monotony of the aloneness is what wears me down and draws me too deeply inward. So during these times, I tend to invent little projects for myself, assignments with checklists to tackle and milestones to meet.

Increasingly, what I'm coming to believe it means is that what I really want is to find a more permanent resting place for my stuff, all of the bits and bobs I've collected, and that no amount of Marie Kondo-ing will convince me to give up.

An introvert’s quest for creative chemistry

I don't blame you for throwing some shade in my direction when I tell you that I (gasp) ordered a recipe delivery box this week. Yeah, you heard me. I'm talking micro-portions of spices that I already obviously own. I'm talking plastic containers inside bags inside boxes. I'm talking two pre-measured tablespoons of Dijon mustard.

What are your secret single habits?

A new wave of super cool, super smart, and super talented women are in formation in kitchens everywhere, rocking their Polka Pants, and I am completely, shamelessly in their thrall.

And don't nobody get full off of eating no soup

The Mary Tyler Moore Show ended its run the year I was born, 1977, and yet that image of Mary tossing her hat in the air has somehow always been with me, a vision and a spirit I've channeled in certain moments of girlboss* jubilation. Turns out I was not alone.

“I kept on thinking I would grow into it, but I’m never sure I’m doing the right thing.”

Take a deep breath and consider the tiny indulgence of spreading a spoonful of that sunshine on your morning toast. You deserve it.

And here I go again…

And were you really going to make Tom Hiddleston’s bolognese anyway?