I recently went on a trip to Crater Lake in Oregon. I’ve been there before, and each time I’ve been impressed by its transcendent beauty and other-worldliness, and fascinated by its history. The lake, in case you don’t know, is … Continue reading →
Crows are very smart birds, although they’ve long been thought to be harbingers of bad news: A crow’s brain is the size of a human thumb, huge relative to its body, putting their intelligence on par with primates and allowing … Continue reading →
My dog was a champ at this: While we’re at it, here’s another. This one’s about yawning: Dr. Seuss remarked on this phenomenon in a book I used to read to my son at bedtime, in the hope (usually vain) … Continue reading →
…a creature was stirring. Last night was Christmas Eve. I was expecting a visit from my son, who was flying in as a rare treat. I had tidied up, and was putting on the finishing touches while waiting for him … Continue reading →
In the past couple of days I’ve taken some time to drive around New England photographing the fall. I had thought this would be a less colorful fall than usual because of the dry weather we’ve had. But when it … Continue reading →
I went apple-picking this weekend. It’s easy to do—just drive about 15 minutes, go to the pick-your-own orchard, buy one of their little bags, walk out on a lovely fall day to where the trees are, and begin. The trees … Continue reading →
There, did I cover enough bases? Did I get it right (I mean left)? Like many things, Columbus Day has evolved. And here’s a discussion of the postmodern Columbus Day (from Dr. Sanity, circa 2009). As for me, since I … Continue reading →
I heard this story recently on NPR. Since it was first aired back in 2010, it must have been a repeat. But what a fascinating tale! It begins with psychotherapist and professor Maurice Temerlin and his wife Jane, who decided—in … Continue reading →
I’m a little late here, aren’t I? I’m only dealing with this topic because it’s been such an internet cause célé¨bre. That’s an interesting phenomenon in itself, illustrating the way that a meme spreads. And I’ll get this out of … Continue reading →
[NOTE: Part I, which was posted about two weeks ago, can be found here.] Not only has Princeton bioethics professor Peter Singer advocated infanticide for profoundly disabled infants if parents request it, he also has done a lot of writing … Continue reading →
I was there this weekend: Unfortunately, when I came home last night I suddenly realized I am coming down with a cold. I hate, hate, hate colds.
Continue reading →Yesterday I had an ant infestation, mostly those large ones that can move very fast, although there were a couple of teeny tiny ones as well. They came out of nowhere—I couldn’t see where they were entering—and seemed evenly distributed … Continue reading →