I’m getting ready to say “no” to a worthy cause. At the end of the month, my church will hold its annual meeting and elect three new members to the vestry. It’s been made clear to me that it would be appreciated if I were to stand for one of the terms. They say it won’t take much of my time, merely a couple of hours a month — and...

Yesterday, I complained about Christmas stress. That evening, as I was leaving the office, the husband called to say he was running late on an errand, so I needed to meet him at the Barnes & Noble across the street from my office. Not happy since I wanted to head home and relax after a somewhat stressful day. Then the bookstore was crowded, last minute Christmas...