Petals from the Garden

Bending Toward the Sun, Bowing to the Moon

I am hard at work on my new book featuring 105 of my opinion articles published in the past 27 years. 

In a despairing world, each petal from the garden will uplift, inspire, and bring a tear or a smile; or both.

What do chipper-shredders, therapy dogs, gingerbread houses, and holiday chaos have in common?

They’re all pieces of life—funny, touching, and deeply human—that Kathleen Vallee Stein captures in Petals from the Garden: Bending Toward the Sun, Bowing to the Moon.

This isn’t just a book. It’s a bouquet of short, heartfelt essays that remind us we’re not alone in the madness and beauty of everyday living.

Whether you’re caring for aging parents, surviving adolescence (your own or your kid’s), or just trying to get through a holiday dinner without a meltdown—there’s a petal here for you.

👉 Download the free sample now (PDF) – and enjoy samples from seven chapters, including:

• Memories of Dad are as Sweet as Fresh-Mown Grass
• Are We a Melting Pot or a Bowl of Cool Whip?
• Jack and Judaism
• Cassie on the Job (Spoiler: She’s got four legs and a fan club)

​Get ready to laugh, cry, and nod in quiet agreement. It’s a read that’ll stick with you—like the scent of fresh-cut grass.

Contact Kathleen

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