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Category Archives: Essays
Five-minute coronavirus stress resets
Thanks to Linda W. for sending this along. By Jenny Taitz • Illustrations by Rozalina Burkova – in the NYT In this emotional equivalent to an ultramarathon, it’s key to have some stress-reducing strategies available that work quickly and efficiently to … Continue reading
The Benefits of Talking to Strangers
By Jane E. Brody in the New York Times. Thanks to Put B. for finding this. I’m a lifelong extrovert who readily establishes and relishes casual contacts with people I encounter during daily life: while walking my dog, shopping for groceries, … Continue reading
The Barnacle Theory of Life
By Mel Walsh (thanks Mary Jane F. for finding this) Barnacles….marine undesirables, clinging sea-shelled critters. They grab onto and weigh down everything from sea turtles to boats that have to be put into dry dock to scrape off the cluster … Continue reading
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‘Stay away.’ ‘Biggest petri dish in the world.’ The view from Canada, of us, isn’t so nice.
By Danny Westneat Seattle Times columnist Remember how people would joke about moving to Canada when things would go terribly, politically? Like, say, after America had invaded the wrong country. People here, especially liberal Seattle people, would vow: “That’s it, I’m … Continue reading
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Seven wonders of the world
Thanks to Mary Jane F.
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Do old lives matter?
There is a tension between opening up the economy and allowing the virus to spread. 90% of all deaths from COVID-19 are occuring in those over age 60. What is the value of a life? Are these older lives truly … Continue reading
Posted in Essays
2 Comments
Is the end of meat here?
From the NYT by Jonathan Safran Foer – Thanks to Diana C. for send this. Is any panic more primitive than the one prompted by the thought of empty grocery store shelves? Is any relief more primitive than the one … Continue reading
The least and the most
Thanks to Sybil-Ann
Posted in Essays, Uncategorized
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The Daffodil – a different look
Yes, I do take a few liberties here and there with the ancient myths and legends. I can only hope the flowers will forgive me! This one pretty much speaks for herself. DAFFODIL by Charles Coghlan Our Skyline Ikebana teacher … Continue reading
We Need National Service. Now. — David Brooks
The formative moment for a new generation. Ed note: What a brilliant moment it would be for young people to have the opportunity to serve during this pandemic–and beyond. Not only does society have great needs, but young people need … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Social justice
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Tell me the story about the virus
Thanks to Donna D.!
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Why the Trump Ploy Stopped Working – David Brooks
Even in a pandemic there are weavers and rippers. The weavers try to spiritually hold each other so we can get through this together. The rippers, from Donald Trump on down, see everything through the prism of politics and still … Continue reading
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Are you a lexophile?
Thanks Donna D! “Lexophile” describes those that have a love for words, such as “you can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish,” and “To write with a broken pencil is pointless.” An annual competition is held by the … Continue reading
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Kindness in the neighborhood
Thanks to Joan Conlon for letting us know, and smile. Frank and I were walking through the neighborhood recently, and as we passed Vito’s, a young man came running after us, calling, “Madam, Madam.” We turned to look at him … Continue reading
Can a crisis reform a curmudgeon!?
Thanks to Alice Wesley for letting us know a bright side of the current crisis. I suspect many acts of kindness are in the air. In fact, if some are going to receive a “stimulus check” from the government, where … Continue reading
Presidential ‘tweets’ on the free press
By The Seattle Times editorial board President Donald Trump, easily fending off his remaining challenger for the Republican nomination in Iowa and New Hampshire, continues to lob insults against media organizations covering the campaign. While friction between presidents and the press … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Politics, Social justice
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What’s a true apology?
Ed note: We see a lot of “non-apology apologies” in the media and may have been involved some half-baked efforts ourselves. Let’s face it. It’s hard to admit fault! Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin had it right, “It’s … Continue reading
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Trump Has Made Us All Stupid
By David Brooks in the NYT: Donald Trump is impulse-driven, ignorant, narcissistic and intellectually dishonest. So you’d think that those of us in the anti-Trump camp would go out of our way to show we’re not like him — that … Continue reading
The art of complaining
Comment: My dad, when confined to a wheel chair in a nursing home knew that his situation was far from ideal. He so strongly missed my mom. He got some pastoral help and also benefited from a low dose antidepressant. … Continue reading
Posted in Aging Sites, Essays, happiness
1 Comment
God bless those who keep us safe
Thanks to Margarete B. From the California Highway Patrol: There are some stories that truly speak to the heart and retired Ohio State Trooper Bob Welsh’s touching poem, “My Christmas Eve”, is certainly one of them. With his permission, we … Continue reading
Posted in Essays, Holidays, Poetry, Remembrances
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I Headed the F.B.I. and C.I.A. There’s a Dire Threat to the Country I Love.
By William Webster Mr. Webster is a former federal judge and the former director of both the F.B.I. and the C.I.A. Letter to the NYT: The privilege of being the only American in our history to serve as the director of … Continue reading
A regional solution to homelessness is long overdue. Ask those on the front lines
From Crosscut: At this moment, as winter descends in the Pacific Northwest, there are well over 11,000 people living unsheltered and unhoused in King County. Many are veterans and single parents. Many are escaping abusive households, have lost jobs, have experienced eviction … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Essays, Homeless, Safety, Social justice
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A divided America needs a one-nation centrist party
By Chris Vance Special to The Seattle Times I am one of the scores of Americans left politically homeless. For 37 years I worked to build the Republican Party in Washington state. The election of President Donald Trump and the ascendancy … Continue reading
For the Holidays, the Gift of Self-Care
From the NYT: The Buddhist monk Haemin Sunim remembers the moment he discovered the power of self-care. He was a frustrated graduate student when a trusted friend told him the solution was to “be good to yourself first — then … Continue reading