Peggy McManus

By Peggy McManus Mar 2026 Family dinners were the highlight of my young life. We gathered at the kitchen table, enjoying Mom’s cooking, sharing stories of the day’s events, and laughing. Generally, the recaps of my days were tainted with awkward moments and unfortunate outcomes. “A boy at lunch was chewing with his mouth open today,” I reported one evening. “It was so disgusting, I accidentally let out a scream.” “That’s a bit of an overreaction,” Mom said.“Did your teacher tell him to close...

By Peggy McManus I love dogs. I just don’t love owning dogs. For me, dogs are like grandchildren. It’s great when they pop by for a visit, but once they get tired and cranky, it’s time for them to leave.  The truth is, just like kids, dogs are gross. At least that’s true of the dogs I’ve known. I once had an adorable Cockapoo named Tank. He was a nice dog; good with kids, not a barker, and he even protected my beloved cat, Fuzz. But Tank had a fatal flaw, and it wasn’t that he used my...

By Peggy McManus (AKA Piggly Wiggly) November 2025 I'm just getting back from what was supposed to be a quick trip to the grocery store. I only needed a few basics, but I got sidetracked by the candy aisle and spent a good 20 minutes there, trying to talk myself out of buying a candy bar or two. In the end, I succeeded, although now that I’m home and candyless, I am second-guessing my decision.  When it comes to candy, I'm a lot like my dad, who was a big candy lover. Even as a kid, I got a...