
Marlene is the author of Back to the Land in Silicon Valley (2020), her memoir about raising children, animals and vegetables on a rural plot of land in the 1970s. When not writing, Marlene speaks to parent groups, teacher in-services and conferences, and walks beside the ocean with her companion Border Collie, Kismet. She still grows, prepares and eats organic food, and is happy to share her recipes.
Take a look at my Grandparenting Matters Facebook Page, where I post current research and commentary about grandparenting.


Recent Posts
- Life Gave Me Lemons February 13, 2026
- Opening the First Page of a New Year of Stories January 1, 2026
- 5 Reasons to Send Christmas Cards December 15, 2025
- Writing on the Queen Mary: A Much Needed Vacation, Part 2 October 17, 2025
- A Much Needed Vacation September 17, 2025
- Digging Out of the Slough of Despond August 8, 2025
- Grandma Camp 2025 July 2, 2025
- Spring Break in New Mexico April 29, 2025
- It’s The Last Day of Winter! Hurrah! March 19, 2025
- Good News — and a Great Loss February 17, 2025
- A New Year – Traditions and Hopes for the Future January 23, 2025
I remember helping you when I was a student and your were/are my mentor. I would help clean/tidy condo. Hang out with your youngest and proof read child development text books. I remember those days fondly.
I am so happy you are happy living the life retired in CA.
Please keep writing and posting. I look forward to reading your posts and books to come!!!
Dena – so happy to know you are reading my posts.
Loved your article on the prep before the house cleaner comes. We all have our ways as well as our quirks.
The joke around my house is that flat surface is in danger of becoming “Adrienne’s new shelf!” I could totally relate to your organizational style.
Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy organized new year!
Thank you for the shout-out, Marlene. I hope some of your readers will join us at the next Get It Done Day this Friday, January 13th! (Go to helenmclaughlin.com/doneday to register.)
I’m delighted to hear you’re working on your cozy mystery.
I too pick up in preparation for our cleaner. I hadn’t thought of the after time, though. Interesting. The most dramatic upside of the after cleaning is the kitchen. All of the dishes and pots and pans are clean. But I do NOT want to undo that by cooking! 🤣