• These women's transitions are in the numbers
Some numerologists say that eights represent new beginnings, while nines bring to birth that which has been conceived. One week into 2009, those are interesting notions to consider as many notables in last year's news -- Barack Obama, obviously, but also a preponderance of women -- have emerged from gestations of all sorts.

• In any season or economy, city's changed
It may have taken Chrissie Hynde years of living as a rock star in London to make her think her "city was gone" when she returned to her Akron home. But all it took me was seven years as a stay-at-home mom in the suburbs.