Which of us possesses the wonder of a child — ears that perk up at the sound of good music, eyes that notice beauty around us, a sense of the importance of slowing down to appreciate the blessings we’ve been given? Today, my friend Laurie posted a video of a man playing the violin in a DC …
Facebook posts from my former students, all currently in high school: “Worst half-time show ever.” “Madonna is old.” “Did you see those wrinkles?” “Age has not been kind to Madonna.” “So gay. She’s like 55.” “What a boring half-time show.” Facebook posts from friends a little closer to my age: “How does she still look that …
Unhappy narcissists — that’s what Dennis Prager called Americans on his radio program today. He said we are becoming a “marriageless, childless culture of unhappy narcissists.” He went on to say that “unhappy narcissist” is most likely a redundant term. He was referring to the United States going the way of Europe to our detriment, and, of …
Three things I adore on a morning alone, sitting on the couch with my laptop, my lap dog, and my lap blanket: Jelly Belly jelly beans, coffee with tons of flavored creamer, and a Mark Steyn column in the newspaper. First, jelly beans. We used to live near the Jelly Belly factory. I love that …
Today’s book suggestion is one I’ve passed on to friends numerous times. It ‘s an old book and not at all my typical style. Most of my friends know I am not a fan of the romance genre, but, though this book is romance, I somehow found it enchanting –kind of a fluffy fun. Perhaps it …
While walking my dog in our lovely, pristine neighborhood on this warm and sunny winter day, I came across a purple crack pipe. Don’t ask me how I knew what it was; I just knew, okay? On previous walks I have found soda cans used for this same foul habit, but now the neighborhood druggies are getting …
Ordinary, Extraordinary People by Condoleeza Rice is my latest book find. What a coincidence that I finished reading this book just as I saw a Yahoo article about some “tax reform” people who want Kim Kardashian to pay a higher “higher” rate of Calfornia state taxes. I was amazed by the juxtaposition of values! There were numerous facets …
“I try to write so much like myself that no one else could have written like that.” These profound words come from the website of my current favorite writer, Markus Zusak, the author of The Book Thief and I Am the Messenger. I dream of taking these words in and swallowing them, devouring them as inspiration, using them to …
He looks at me earnestly, with concern for the pain he knows is there, and he says, “Why don’t you try not eating tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplant?” “I’m half Irish and half Italian. If I can’t eat tomatoes and potatoes, I’ll die,” is my admittedly histrionic repsonse. “Just try it,” he says. Thus commences my foray …
Three things about our walk today: a proverb, a mystery, and a memory. First, the proverb. As we approach a greenbelt in the neighborhood, Jack stops and sniffs. It is a place where we regularly see a cat. He sniffs, and runs, and frightens, but he never gets close enough to catch that darn cat. …