Second-hand Grief

Although I only put the thoughts below on paper this October, I began to think them 20 years ago this Thanksgiving. It seems that every year since has accumulated another gray event upon this holiday, yet no matter who it is, I still don’t know how and when to say I care. So, more often

Soundtrack for “Uncertainty Principles” Featuring Werner Heisenberg

The songs in the following imaginary soundtrack were chosen by the characters in Uncertainty Principles. The choices were  in no way unanimous — except for the bonus track, “Heisenberg Sings”, which is not to be missed. Track 1. “Dare to Believe” by Boyce Avenue “Don’t keep holding out while the innocent die.”   Track 2. “Closer

Grocery Shopping on the Wednesday Before Thanksgiving

Normally I consider grocery shopping to be a chore, but I actually enjoy going on the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving. Sure, I like the festivity in the air, but I also like to watch the clientele. Solid core cooks have already bought most of their supplies before the big day, so on that Wednesday afternoon,

Things I Want My Niece to Know/Be/Do

There are some things we figure out the hard way, and maybe that’s what makes them meaningful. But if there is ever a chance for me to spare my niece some tears on her way to a full and happy life, then I will offer these bits of advice:   1) Push through the difficulties

Watching Baseball

I like to watch baseball, especially the post-season, for the suspense, of course, but also to see grown men with the excitement of little boys. It never fails to make me smile. Even in professional baseball, with the many millions of dollars in talent who have worked hundreds and hundreds of games, all the players–even

Ray Bradbury, Bullying in Politics, and the Potential Kindness of Kids

I read today that Ray Bradbury died. He was 91, so I suppose it wasn’t a surprise, but it is always sad when a light of insight is extinguished.   I remember the story “All Summer in a Day” that we read in junior high school. I have probably mentioned it before, but only because

Everyday Utopia

My 6-year-old niece announced one day, “Whatever is good for Krista is good for everyone.” If only that were true…    – Everyone would know how to swing dance.    – We’d only say please and thank you and sorry when we meant it.    – Each political party would assume the other party is

Bad parking is not a crime

The worst part of my commute to work is the parking garage.  I spend a lot of time backing up, straightening around, and getting out just to get back in and try again. I’m generally a benign driver — always use my blinker, don’t cut people off in traffic – but I’ve never been good

Strength in Sadness

I’ve spent a lot of time over the past month thinking about the Emily C. Specchio Foundation. Most of the organizations I donate to are born of sadness, but none have touched me in the same way as this one. It seems that Emily Specchio’s life was a seed that her family cultivated in their

Emily Specchio Foundation

Today’s post is a special interview about the Emily C. Specchio Foundation , whose mission is to encourage, identify and financially support university undergraduate and graduate students who want to change the world for the better, both nationally and internationally. In her 21 years, Emily Specchio managed to inter-relate the ideas of academic excellence with