It’s the first day of September. Although not the official beginning of fall—that doesn’t happen for about three weeks—it’s the real beginning of autumn in my book. And this despite the fact that it’s well into the nineties today where … Continue reading →
A survey reveals a shortfall of skilled workers such as carpenters, welders, and electricians in many of the countries of the West: The shortage of skilled workers is the No. 1 or No. 2 hiring challenge in six of the … Continue reading →
Colleges are increasingly feeling the need to gently nudge parents of incoming freshman to take their leave of the campus, lest the older generation take up residence more permanently there, the better to breathe down the necks of their offspring. … Continue reading →
Progressives and liberals are despondent lately. They’re having trouble mustering up the energy to vote in 2010, or even to defend Barack Obama, once their shining star: Why, asks a Democrat leading a training session for fellow activists, doesn’t “Yes … Continue reading →
To take up a topic suggested by a number of comments to my earlier post today (and to avoid talking about Obama just a little bit longer): why do older women, or even middle-aged women, so seldom wear their hair … Continue reading →
It happens all too often. I see an article that catches my interest, and I think, Oh, I’ll write some remarks about that. It’ll just take a few minutes. And then I begin. And I find I need to look … Continue reading →
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. —1 Corinthians 13:11 Children have a lot of time … Continue reading →
If I had to choose only six items of clothing to wear for a month (plus underwear), it wouldn’t be these six—bore-ing (especially that sad sack of a dress): But oh, what would my own selections be? To start with, … Continue reading →
A while back, commenter “Steve H.” asked a question. It’s one to which I unfortunately still don’t have a good answer, although I’m highlighting it because it’s a question I’ve been increasingly asking myself for some months now: We all … Continue reading →
The late, great British dancer Stanley Holden was a dance teacher of mine. One doesn’t ordinarily think of comedy in connection with ballet dancers, but Holden was a master of it, best known for originating the en travesti character Widow … Continue reading →
[NOTE: I came across this old post of mine the other day, and thought it might be fun to repeat it, with some added thoughts.] I’ve always had an excellent recollection for early events in my life, with the peculiarity … Continue reading →
Today I started writing a long piece on Obama’s speech on immigration reform. It was half done—and then a profound weariness overtook me. So here, you read the text of his address, or take a look at a summary. Because … Continue reading →