Susan Jacoby has a lot of relatives who lived to be old. Mega-old, in fact. And, from what she’s seen of the debilities of extreme old age, she doesn’t much like the prospect of getting there herself. Oh, it’s okay … Continue reading →
I’d never been to one before—you know, one of those concerts that specializes in 60s music. And I probably wouldn’t have gone to this one had it not been free. But there I was, standing because all the seats were … Continue reading →
Here it comes again, the day it’s obligatory to have a rollicking good time. Why, I’m not so sure. Perhaps because the passage of the years can be depressing, especially after the age of forty or so. Or perhaps it’s … Continue reading →
How does one get ready for the big stormstorm that’s predicted for the Northeast? First thing to do is to accept it. Then, make sure there’s enough food in the place—although after the almost nonstop eating fest of the last … Continue reading →
The comments in this thread led to the revelation that, in Britain, eating or drinking while driving has already been made an offense. And that’s not just drinking as in alcoholic beverages, either: drinking a bottle of water will do. … Continue reading →
Last night while I was talking on the phone, I idly looked up towards a lighting fixture and noticed with horror that It Was Back. The scutie, that is, my revolting house guest from last year (follow the link for … Continue reading →
It’s been about two and a half months since my 96-year-old mother broke her hip and had surgery, and I’m pleased to report that she’s doing pretty well so far. She was in the rehab wing of the hospital for … Continue reading →
The New York accent seems to be on its way out. Not only is it less common than it used to be, but scads of New Yorkers are hiring speech therapists to rid themselves of theirs, which are seen as … Continue reading →
The brilliant Richard Fernandez on the new blasphemy against PC thought: But there are indications that blasphemy, far from being dead letter, is alive and well. Wikipedia, in discussing the subject, warns the reader to also consult the entries for … Continue reading →
The NY Times has an article about how the latest crop of doctors has forgotten—or really, never learned—how to perform a physical exam. Oh, they can take measurements, and they can order tests. But they have come to rely on … Continue reading →
I voted by absentee ballot yesterday. I’m not one to do that, ordinarily. I like going to the polls on voting day. I like the atmosphere of civic duty. I like the people standing around (even in the rain) with … Continue reading →
This NY Times article discusses some research on good study habits that indicates that several of the time-honored recommendations don’t hold water. Apparently it’s better to switch venues rather than stick to one tried-and-true setting, and to vary subject matter … Continue reading →