Baseball

“I wrote 63 songs this year. They’re all about Jeter.” Just kidding. The game we love, the players we hate, and more.

Culture and Criticism

From Norman Mailer to Wendy Pepper — everything on film, TV, books, music, and snacks (shut up, raisins), plus the Girls’ Bike Club.

Donors Choose and Contests

Helping public schools, winning prizes, sending a crazy lady in a tomato costume out in public.

Stories, True and Otherwise

Monologues, travelogues, fiction, and fart humor. And hens. Don’t forget the hens.

The Vine

The Tomato Nation advice column addresses your questions on etiquette, grammar, romance, and pet misbehavior. Ask The Readers about books or fashion today!

The Vine: September 13, 2002
September 13, 2002 · No Comment

Another thought for “Online and in public?” — having a public online journal means accepting the possibility of
anybody reading it.There’s no such thing as security out of
politeness, and security through obscurity (i.e. not telling people) …

The Vine: September 12, 2002
September 12, 2002 · No Comment

Dear Sars,
I’m pretty sure this is going to be one of many letters, but I just wanted to add to what you told Bag in PA.Get out.Please, get out now.Adults do not hit other adults …

The Vine: September 10, 2002
September 10, 2002 · No Comment

I just wanted to add my two cents to the emails you’ll no doubt receive
about Loyal Friend’s dilemma. When we were 24, my spouse and I faced a
similar situation when his (much older) sister asked …

The Vine: September 6, 2002
September 6, 2002 · No Comment

Dear Sars,
Re: your response to Sharpening The Butcher Knife: I have an
almost-nine-year-old boy, and children of this age can be difficult.I
thought your response was right on; I completely agree that Rosemary doesn’t
seem to take the …

The Vine: September 5, 2002
September 5, 2002 · No Comment

Hey there, Sars —
Like any clichéd advice query, it starts with a break-up. My boyfriend of
four years recently decided that our relationship was not what he wanted.
Very sad and crappy for me, but it’s his …

The Vine: September 4, 2002
September 4, 2002 · No Comment

Hi Sars,
Add me to the countless people who felt the just had to fire up Outlook to respond to your advice to NNV. I actually agree with you whole-heartedly, but I had to add this: …

The Vine: September 3, 2002
September 3, 2002 · No Comment

Dear Sars,
My problem is this.When I was in high school, I dated a guy for about five
months.It was a very intense relationship, so you can imagine my surprise
when he broke up with me, out of …

The Fastest Year
September 2, 2002 · One Comment

My mom gave me a Twin Towers calendar for Christmas — twelve months of various views of the World Trade Center. It hangs beside the door in my kitchen, where I’ve always hung my calendars, …

The Vine: August 30, 2002
August 30, 2002 · No Comment

Dear Sarah,
I’m hoping that you will be able to help me clear up two grammar
issues.Last year, I had an extremely anal teacher who wouldn’t let a
grammar error go unnoticed.I picked up the habit and have …

The Vine: August 29, 2002
August 29, 2002 · No Comment

Dear Sars,
I’ve got a question that I’d like to hear your answer to. Yesterday was my birthday, and Grandma sent me a china Lenox clock. This is the third time she’s given me a piece …