JULY 17, 2010 8:58PM

Mothering about Othering

I just read this wonderful post about a mother reminding her daughter to be kind to people perceived as different.

http://open.salon.com/blog/niadan1962/2010/07/14/the_most_important_thing

 I also enjoyed this post about people's need to constantly cast our president in the role of The Othe… Read full post »

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JULY 1, 2010 5:23PM

The Wedding of the First Born

My son is getting married on Saturday.  Even though he is 29 and hasn't lived at home in years, it feels like a really big change.  I love his future wife and I think they are perfect for each other.   My overwhelming emotions are not about that, or anything having to… Read full post »

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JUNE 24, 2010 4:50PM

A Mixed Bag of Ends That Need to Meet

What is the meaning of the term "mixed bag"?  It is constantly being used by weathermen ("Next week we'll be getting a mixed bag of weather") but I have been unable to find its origins in my internet searching efforts.  I discovered there was a 60s band called "Mixed Bag" and… Read full post »

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JUNE 22, 2010 11:49PM

Children of the dumpster

I went to a doctor's appointment this morning.  It was already pretty hot in my Connecticut suburb -- around 79 degrees.  When I came out and got into the car, I saw three young people.  I'll guess the young man was about 16, one girl was about 14 and then there… Read full post »
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JUNE 18, 2010 10:55PM

Legally high

When I first started representing clients in administrative hearings at in 1992, I was petrified.  I overprepared, staying up until 2 am cramming, and experienced every physical symptom you can think of.  On the morning of the hearing, I always was certain that I had lost all brain cells an… Read full post »
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JUNE 16, 2010 9:12AM

Equal time for the unsung blackhead

Having just read David Marchese's 6/15/10 article about pimple popping, I am inspired to extol the quiet joys of blackhead squeezing.  The best ones are the ones that just keep refilling. You wait a week or two and you can squeeze it again. Delay gratification for a month and you are… Read full post »

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JUNE 14, 2010 10:11AM

Oh, the humanities!

My 16-year-old son is reading “Romeo and Juliet” in high school.  He sees no purpose in doing so.  I have been endeavoring to explain to him the joy of learning for learning’s sake, the spiritual sustenance that art provides, and the relevance of past works to our present… Read full post »
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JUNE 13, 2010 11:10PM

The Power of Worrying

Having children, dogs, aging relatives, and other needy beings in your life means you must worry.  I have discovered that I worry because I think it is a form of prophylactic magic: if I worry enough, nothing bad will happen.  If I drop the worrying ball, however, all will be lost… Read full post »

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