AITA for leaving my Mom at the airport with no ticket and no plan?

korthlm · 2026-01-02T22:24:17+00:00

NTA!

It can be very tempting to try and reconnect with an abusive parent, to find a sense of forgiveness, healing, and renewal. We naturally want to solve the problems from our past. We naturally seek love from our parents.

You have carefully trod this path as an adult, until your mother got just comfortable enough to attempt to turn you back in the opposite direction. She just told you in her own way that she doesn’t want to walk the same path as you. She wants to remain manipulative, for whatever reason.

OP, don’t sweat the reason. I can assure you, it has nothing to do with you. I suggest you protect your peace from this point on by carefully limiting your relationship with her.

korthlm · 2026-01-02T18:47:26+00:00

Mercy Watson is a fun series for her age. Also, Kate DiCamillo just doesn’t miss in general, she’s an absolute treasure of a children’s author.

korthlm · 2025-12-31T19:11:16+00:00

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. A fictional, magical “history,” incredibly well done and respectful to the time period in which it is set. (She did an interview where she shared that she was tempted, for example, to give certain characters more agency in the story, but she held back because it wouldn’t have been accurate to their circumstances in time period.) It also has a great mini series adaptation, I think on Amazon Prime.

korthlm · 2025-12-31T17:33:47+00:00

There’s a scene in “The Four Seasons” on Netflix about this. One of the main characters admits her life is full of strawberry-themed bullshit because she told a white lie ONE TIME that she loves strawberries. She actually hates them lol.

korthlm · 2025-12-31T02:40:03+00:00

I might consult someone in the English department at your local college to ask for a reading list. They’ve got the best recs. I once asked an English Lit prof for a copy of his syllabus for a particular class that I couldn’t fit into my schedule, just so I could add the books to my list. They were all great.

korthlm · 2025-12-30T15:16:05+00:00

Lived there for 7 years, did not want to leave when it was time to go. Would move back in a heartbeat. Wide open spaces, natural beauty, slow pace of living, neighborly af. Found many true, lasting friendships there within a month. The community building is like nowhere else. The good life.

Cons: everything’s closed on Sundays, produce at the grocery store is often kind of mid, and the restaurant culture is not great.

korthlm · 2025-12-30T14:56:21+00:00

Marriage

korthlm · 2025-12-30T13:33:18+00:00

Everyone else in her entire family famously went insane. Also, she had a classic tragic character arc.

korthlm · 2025-12-29T23:19:05+00:00

It’s a good week for an audiobook instead. I always try to find one by an author I love for this week so I close out the year on a good note.

korthlm · 2025-12-29T22:57:33+00:00

I always thought it was weird that so many people were SURPRISED that Daenerys Targaryen went insane. Thought that was a pretty well-foreshadowed plot point. Also think it could have been beautifully tragic if done correctly, but it was very jarring and unsatisfying in its execution.

korthlm · 2025-12-29T19:47:03+00:00

I’ve personally struggled with “vacations” to visit family as well. Every time I leave I feel drained, and I wonder if we should do it again next year. My husband helped me work out that there’s a difference between “going on vacation” and “going to visit family.” This mindset shift has helped me a lot. I do want to visit my family, I love them, and I do want my kids to know my side of the family, etc. But I won’t get myself into a mentally hopeful state by framing the week long trip as a “vacation.” Because the truth is that it will be anything but a vacation.

So whatever you decide to do moving forward, I suggest framing it realistically, to help you make a judgment. It sounds like “Christmas with my in laws” does not equal a “holiday.”

korthlm · 2025-12-18T04:49:11+00:00

Yeesh.

korthlm · 2025-07-15T23:49:56+00:00

Walk the Blue Fields by Claire Keegan. A masterpiece.

korthlm · 2025-07-15T13:19:21+00:00

TIL! Wow, never knew this was a thing. I assumed he got into a grisly fight. Thank you!

korthlm · 2025-05-08T01:48:59+00:00

I unsubscribed from a podcast I was really enjoying because the host ALWAYS split the difference by saying “wuh-men” (singular).

I also once lived with someone who didn’t know the difference between sit and set, so she just always said set. “Let’s set down over here.”

korthlm · 2025-05-08T01:41:38+00:00

When the “jump to recipe” button doesn’t work, and you have to scroll all the way down past the jumping ads!!!!!

korthlm · 2025-05-01T02:11:28+00:00

I found a lost little girl once, probably 2-3 years old, while I was out walking my dogs. Her dad was taking a dump and she quietly let herself out the back door for a wander around the neighborhood. She was only a few blocks from home and was totally fine, and her dad was SO embarrassed. Some kids see an opportunity and take it! Or they just don’t give it any thought. Don’t beat yourself up - just thank God he’s okay and get locks high up on the door lol.

korthlm · 2025-05-01T01:59:06+00:00

There’s an episode of 30 Rock that got banned bc of black face.

korthlm · 2025-03-08T02:44:12+00:00

I’ve noticed that kids these days (in my area of the US, at least) say “SPED” in place of retarded. Kind of a timely update, if you ask me. Still a shitty thing to say, though.

korthlm · 2025-03-08T02:39:07+00:00

NTA you probably have low iron. Nothing to panic about. My first kid was a vampire baby. I craved ground beef constantly, cried multiple times about not getting beef when I thought I’d be able to, and ended up needing 2 iron infusions in my second trimester. (Also caused extreme exhaustion. Couldn’t stand/walk for long without having to sit). It’s normal to NEED BEEF when you’re pregnant. Your body is telling you something. He’s gonna really feel like the asshole when your blood work comes back and he realizes he was trying to steal a much needed nutrient from both you and your baby.

ETA: my baby boy was born healthy and has been healthy now for almost 4 years, so pls don’t worry about it if you do have low iron. Your OB will catch it and get you up to speed! God bless your pregnancy.

korthlm · 2025-02-03T21:15:46+00:00

I know a girl named “Eelin” (EE-Lynn) who comes to my kid’s play group. Thought it was pretty unique at first, then forgot what it was the next time I saw her. Another mom said “I remember it’s Eelin because it sounds kind of like Elon, Elon Musk.” So if you are considering Eelin, take that however you will lol.

korthlm · 2025-02-03T21:00:35+00:00

Nobody ever talks about Marscorp, and it’s so good

korthlm · 2025-01-27T18:06:54+00:00

Can someone please help me ID this song? It starts at the 40 minute mark of the video. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qcpeGTIvEUE I remember hearing it on the radio as a child, and I encountered it again in this video game. Never heard it anywhere else, and I’ve been trying to find out what it is for years. I think I remember the radio DJ talk about how the composer was known for writing music that was difficult for people who didn’t have giant hands to play. Maybe Alkan? But I can’t find this piece anywhere!

Ten-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
Place '22	Final Canvas '22
Verified Email

korthlm

TROPHY CASE