When you add weight to a rubber band, it stretches. When you remove that weight, it returns to its original shape but not along the same path. As you remove the weight incrementally, the band contracts slightly less than it was stretched until the last weight is removed – this property is called hysteresis. If you were to observe a diagram of the stress and strain during the loading and unloading, you’d see a loop – as long as the strain was only elastic. If you add too much weight, you get plastic strain and permanent deformation. Woman are like rubber bands: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We take on…

Yesterday morning, my friend Claire and her son Tav came by for a visit. While Claire and I were enjoying good conversation, Scooby and Tav were a little ornery and unsure what to do with themselves, so they alternated between snacks, trucks, fridge magnets and mama begging. About 45 minutes into their visit, Scooby takes Claire by the hand, and leads her through the kitchen and dining room and then stops with her at the front door and looks up at her expectantly. Claire asks, “Do you want me to go home?” to which Scooby nods and says, “Home!” I was a little flabbergasted at his blunt request, but then…