A previous version of this essay originally was published on braidedbrook.com in 2012. After our twins were born, my husband and I went to counseling for relationship trouble that was somewhat caused by and somewhat contributing to a mismanaged sex life. Women during pregnancy and after childbirth experience dramatic physiological changes that affect their health,…

On the morning after my 44th birthday (which, as of the first draft, was earlier today), I woke up a bit late, exhausted and sick from an infection. I was sick yesterday, too, but I felt better with some antibiotics and feel even better now. I typically plan for my own birthday, and I didn’t…

Once upon a time, a man named Jesus did a bunch of wholesome stuff. He never sinned, which is impressive considering he wasn’t allowed to eat pork because he was Jewish. He lived to be thirty-three years old and never ate bacon, not once, and imitation bacon bits hadn’t been invented yet. That’s called sacrifice, and you…