I was in high school when I first read a Russian novel; it was Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. The book immediately grabbed my attention – here was something to really sink my teeth into, something that dealt with the Big … Continue reading →
First of all, a disclaimer: I make no predictions about Pelosi’s recovery from a hip fracture she sustained in a fall the other day. But anything is possible. I read these musings: Statistically, when a woman in her mid-80s breaks … Continue reading →
Yesterdays’s thread on the subject of cutoff because of political disagreement had so many interesting comments that I want to take up one of the issues raised. I think there’s a huge difference between cutting off an acquaintance with whom … Continue reading →
Back in the days when I did a lot more cooking, I used to make my own piecrust. It always was okay, but I never mastered the art of making it really really good. Oh, I got lots of tips … Continue reading →
I was talking recently to the only person I’m close to who is also on the right, and the topic of Trump-hatred came up. I said that I thought a huge part of the intensity of that hatred was snobbery. … Continue reading →
[NOTE: This is a slightly-edited reprint of a previous post.] I happen to like Thanksgiving. Always have. It’s a holiday for anyone and everyone in this country—except, of course, people who hate turkey. There are quite a few of those … Continue reading →
Somehow I got on the list of a whole bunch of fancy food catalogues, which are coming to me in the mail almost every day. I’m pretty sure I earned my place on that list by sending some fruit to … Continue reading →
Like most people of a certain age, I remember where I was: in school. I found out piecemeal – first that someone had shot at him, then that he was injured, then that he was dead. Then all the rest. … Continue reading →
The blue volumes of the World Book Encyclopedia stood tall on the shelves of my brother’s room, the only reference books our house had except for a dictionary and a thesaurus. But the World Book was king, an essential tool … Continue reading →
Commenter “Brian E” notes: I hope our perceptions of age become skewed, otherwise I’m going crazy. I’ve found myself seeing people that look exactly like the ones I knew from 30-40 years ago. Only it’s not them. I’ve had to … Continue reading →
Computers bring us so much. Just to take one obvious example, they bring this blog to you and your comments to me. They bring us the ability to bank online, get news from anywhere in the world, and buy just … Continue reading →
Statuesque Alvin Ailey dancer Judith Jamison has died at the age of 81. She was a towering figure in the dance world – pun intended, because she was very tall – and there are plenty of tributes. This is mine. … Continue reading →