WHEN I broke up with my live-in girlfriend of five years, we divvied up our things, helped each other move into our new apartments, and then stopped seeing each other altogether -- a cold-turkey breakup that I was sure was for the best. We didn't send e-mail messages, call or meet for coffee, and we certainly didn't go out for drinks. (Yesterday)

Los Angeles (Yesterday)

AS far back as "Father Knows Best," television has been an unintentional teaching aid for parents. To watch Mike and Carol Brady labor tirelessly to boost Jan's wobbly self-esteem, or Cliff and Clair Huxtable corral Denise's rebellious impulses with affection and wisdom, was to learn how to raise happy, healthy children. After all those hours in front of the set, you couldn't help but absorb the lessons. (Yesterday)

BABY boomers have lived during an era of unparalleled prosperity. So when this deep recession hit -- at a time when boomers were advancing to middle- and late-middle age -- much was written about them being too spoiled to cope. (Yesterday)

While finishing a meal at a French restaurant that we frequent, I spotted a three-inch water bug making its way down a wall, inches from my 14-year-old daughter's head. Happily, the bug ducked into a crevice. (Yesterday)