Lifestyle

FICTION

Independence Day: the day when the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, resulting in our country’s freedom. As we prepare to celebrate this holiday this week, I couldn’t help but think of the many changes of independence in my life as a mother.

A reader from New Jersey reminded me of my promise to address the benefits and drawbacks of red beet powder in a future article. “Would you please let me know when your article on (this topic) will be in the Star Ledger so I can try to see it?” she asks.

This isn’t Jurassic Park. This is Independence, Missouri.

When David Mills of Vista, California, went into cardiac arrest on April 8, it took 70 minutes of CPR to restore his regular heartbeat.

It’s been nearly 25 years since Penny Flecker looked through the glass door of her west Columbia home and found a woman dressed in an Army uniform. Her mind raced to her identical twin sons, Norman and Alex.

In addition to eating half a bag of fun-sized Milky Ways in one sitting, there’s something else I feel free to do now that I live alone.

LOS ANGELES — As the couple sauntered down the aisle, an instrumental hip-hop version of the wedding classic Canon in D oozed from a boombox, and a small crowd, most of them perfect strangers, danced and cheered in celebration.

UNINCORPORATED TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — Along a once-rural stretch of road, a small white sign nailed to an old tree greets churchgoers.

“The Art Thief” by Michael Finkel; Knopf (230 pages, $28)