I like to converse with strangers, though I'm out of practice after this long pandemic. The other day I discussed abortion after rape with a stranger. I put this account on Facebook and it got a lot of response, so I'll capture it here as well. On the airplane yesterday, my seat mate was a woman … [Read more...] about Conversation with a Stranger: Abortion After Rape?
“God Set the North Star in the Heavens” the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument
The quote in the title is from Harriet Tubman, and it inspires me on multiple levels. My husband and I took an overnight trip to Maryland's Eastern Shore to view the wintering waterfowl at Blackwater NWR and visit the new Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad site. The "Eastern Shore" terminology … [Read more...] about “God Set the North Star in the Heavens” the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument
Targeted at Target: Wearing a Cross
Yesterday I was at Target comparing brands of facial cleanser. I am super-cheap about this kind of stuff. A woman said Excuse me. She was in her thirties, I would guess, a woman with an olive complexion and dark hair. She had an infant strapped onto her chest. She said, I ask you in the name of … [Read more...] about Targeted at Target: Wearing a Cross
A Conversation with Strangers at the Hair Salon
While I waited for my hair appointment, I chatted with two women over the magazines. They mentioned they were sisters, so I said, "How nice to make your hair a family affair." "It is nice, but it's not for a nice reason. Our mother died the other day." I felt surprised at this, and glanced at … [Read more...] about A Conversation with Strangers at the Hair Salon
The Lincoln Hutch, on this Presidents Day
Today we celebrate the lives of two presidents -- which is your favorite? Like every American, I admire George Washington. During an election year, I often reflect on the reason we invest so many powers in the presidential office -- because of our exceptional first president. But I will admit to … [Read more...] about The Lincoln Hutch, on this Presidents Day
The Real vs. The Idyll
idyll |?noun --?an extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque episode or scene, typically an idealized or unsustainable one. Do you prefer the real thing? Or do you get attached to your idea of what ought to be real, in other words, the idyll? The push and pull between these two applies to our … [Read more...] about The Real vs. The Idyll
Maker Culture: More than Consumers
Have you heard of the Maker Movement? Last night I saw a documentary called Maker. (See trailer below). Maker Culture?consists of people who convert ideas into physical products, through creating, hacking, and exploring. This could be in the realm of art (think of sculpture made from scavenged … [Read more...] about Maker Culture: More than Consumers
Hold Up. Really.
Here's another reason to do all your banking online. Just now I went to the bank to deposit a few checks -- at the PNC on Hwy 7 in Sterling -- and came home with the chore undone. As I approached the bank I glimpsed some flashing blue lights in the front, so I took a shortcut and went around … [Read more...] about Hold Up. Really.
Cognitive Anchors: What Weighs You Down?
"Cognitive Anchors" are facts we know to be true -- so that all incoming information must wrap around these facts. What are your Cognitive Anchors? Last night I went to a "Dialogue of Discovery" at Janelia Farm, a research campus funded by Howard Hughes Medical Institute, to hear a practitioner … [Read more...] about Cognitive Anchors: What Weighs You Down?
Evolution and a Box of Rocks
"I'll give it to you for $2," the mom said. "I am not carrying that home." My husband was holding a box of rocks. We were in the parking lot of our local high school, at a Yard Sale to benefit Project Graduation. "But did you see this?" he said, holding up a hunk of petrified wood. "It's a … [Read more...] about Evolution and a Box of Rocks
Nelson Mandela Speaking About the Palestinian People
Today the world honors the life of Nelson Mandela. I read about South African activists posting pro-Palestine banners at the Mandela memorial. That lead me to read the text of a speech Mandela gave on December 4, 1997 at the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. These are … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Speaking About the Palestinian People
Is Shopping on Black Friday a Terrible Thing to Do?
I went shopping on so-called "Black Friday." Aren't I brave? My daughter and I went to a Kohls store that's two miles from home -- where I frequently shop -- and took advantage of a good price on winter coats for both of us. Last week I shopped at the same Kohls and asked the salesclerk: Are you … [Read more...] about Is Shopping on Black Friday a Terrible Thing to Do?