Things That Disappear
The pale yellow “favorite blanket” that you had as a child. The hair dryer that covered your head like a…
Socialism in America?
That’s right, you heard me, SOCIALISM. It seems that these days some people actually stand up and announce that they…
My Cousin in California
On November 9th, two weeks after my cousin in Pittsburgh, in her post-shooting gloom, bowed out of all social media,…
2017: Brace For Impact
At the beginning of the Second World War in Europe, there was a period of time, eight months and one…
Fruits of the Earth
Nadine Gordimer died today, the great South African writer, though I had actually sat down to write about another great…
No Pain No Gain
I was watching PBS news the other night and saw an interview with Amanda Ripley, the author of the new…
Washington in Botswana
What do you think would happen if someone produced a film about George Washington filmed in Botswana with a local…
Independence Days
Countries really don’t leave each other alone, do they? They are always bothering each other, invading, claiming sovereignty, imposing annoying…
Summer Solstice
What do you mean the summer’s over? Why it just started didn’t it? I only got out of school last…
Midsummer in Scandinavia
“Make hay while the sun shines.” The phrase always had a lascivious ring to it for me. It suggested someone…
Bilbao on the Baltic?
The Helsinki City Council has finally decided. No Guggenheim for them, thank you very much. The city of Helsinki, chosen…
Haavisto Loses, Finland Wins
Back in January, the Finns had an election, too. It was the first round of their presidential election. The Finns,…
