Book excerpt: On Motherhood: Fireflies to First Dates offers a collection of memorable essays on parenthood written by a seasoned humor/slice-of-life columnist and mom of three. Within its pages, author Melinda L. Wentzel candidly shares what the journey has taught her: that it is the harvest of tiny moments that matters most and that extraordinary often lives deep within the ordinary. Filled with warmth, wit and wonder and colorful, descriptive details, this is a compilation of Wentzel’s previously published articles. Praise for On Motherhood: Fireflies to First Dates I love Planet Mom ... it’s where we all live. —Lisa Novotny, Pennsylvania [Planet Mom], I have read and enjoyed your column for years. It just really hits home for me. It’s what all moms are thinking and feeling and dealing with on a daily basis. I love how straightforward and honest you are about the ups and downs and everything in between, and you make even the most boring everyday stuff hilarious! It helps us moms to know we’re not the only ones! —Sharon Steinbacher, Cogan Station, PA [Planet Mom], I love your easy humor. I was a huge bookworm growing up and went through a huge Erma Bombeck phase. You channel her for me. —Susan Weissman, Author, Feeding Eden, New York, New York Parenting is an unbounded experience spanning years, a million different moments encompassing unique challenges and providing unexpected gifts. No one knows this better than Melinda Wentzel, aka Planet Mom, whose touching essays illuminate so many of these experiences. —Garrett “Neanderdad” Rice, Author, Neanderdad, San Mateo, California I love the passion with which you write ... and share your personal journey. —Jodi Moore, Author, When a Dragon Moves In, When a Dragon Moves In Again and I Love My Dragon