The children have started playing board games together, without needing me to play, referee or explain the rules. The sight and sound of them playing peacefully is wonderful on its own, of course, but there’s a huge side benefit: I don’t have to play “Candyland” anymore.

I joined Facebook because Jeni told me we could play Scrabble there. My dad joined Facebook because I told him we could play Scrabble there. Playing board games with friends and family who are miles and miles and miles away? It’s one of my favorite things about the internet.

My mother-in-law made boneless short ribs for us this weekend, and let me say this: If I had to choose one food to eat for every meal for the rest of my days? It would be her boneless short ribs.