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: March 6, 2001
March 6, 2001 · No Comment

Dear Sarah,
I am actually a long-time TN fan who wishes to remain anonymous due to the personal nature of this particular problem. Apologies in advance for the length.
My dad left when I was four years …

The Vine: March 2, 2001
March 2, 2001 · No Comment

Here is my problem, Sars.
I’m married. And I have a best friend. Apparently, according to my husband, that’s not a good thing. He is very jealous of my best friend, to the point where any …

The Vine: March 1, 2001
March 1, 2001 · No Comment

WTF was that last entry in the Vine? I am truly scared for that woman. Granted, I do not have my MSW yet, but as a non-clinician who has seen many an ugly scene, this …

The Vine: February 28, 2001
February 28, 2001 · No Comment

Dear Sars,
I’ve been going through this in my head for days now, and would love a third party opinion. The story: I have been engaged for almost a year, with the wedding date set for …

The Vine: February 27, 2001
February 27, 2001 · No Comment

Hello,
Been a long, long while since I visited your site. It has really blossomed. Glad to see things haven’t changed all that much, content-wise.
Here is one for you.
After a quick courtship and an unplanned little …

Book Smarts
February 20, 2001 · 2 Comments

I have never read Hamlet. It’s probably the most famous play in the Western world, written by probably the most widely known playwright; the role is considered the apotheosis of the craft for actors. I …

Say Anything
February 20, 2001 · No Comment

How common is it to hear a person say, I myself do not object to this style of composition, or this or that expression, but, to such and such classes of people it will appear …

Scenes From A Road Trip
February 19, 2001 · No Comment

“Ow.”
“I know.”
“You got coffee, though.”
“Yeah. Oh! Did you want one? I mean, was I supposed to get you one?”
“No. I mean — well, it wouldn’t do much good at this point anyway. So what’s with …

Be My Non-Valentine
February 19, 2001 · One Comment

February is a weird month. I like it because it’s short, but I like the shortness of it because I hate everything else about it. As a kid, I read somewhere that it’s the coldest …

So Your Cat Has Ass Breath
February 19, 2001 · 17 Comments

A month or two ago, I lugged the Hobe to the vet for his annual check-up. While we waited — well, I waited; the Hobe alternated between pointedly ignoring me and staring daggers at the …