What has happened in Mumbai — the attacks at hotels, train station, other sites — disturbs me in one way that I’m not hearing mentioned in the interviews I’ve seen. This dreadful assault is getting worldwide attention, apparently because there have been foreign victims and because the site is a world financial center. But there […] Read More

I believe I mentioned that I, a non-cook, was venturing to make the turkey dressing for the family gathering this year (rather than buying my assignment.) Here’s how the project shook down. I stirred stuff up and cooked it and it was bad: no taste, weird texture. So I tore it up and added milk […] Read More

Having trouble getting yourself moving? Have a look at this wee newborn elephant’s first efforts to stand. Also, note to writers of books: novelist Bill Henderson has a good three-part post on getting an agent. And Happy Thanksgiving! If you like this post, please bookmark it on del.icio.us, share it on StumbleUpon, vote for it […] Read More

What caught my attention was an ad for a Lincoln in an old New Yorker. Standing beside the car in the picture was a twentyish woman, radiantly beautiful, an athlete, doing her stretches. Then I noticed her legs: one was metal. Sarah Reinertsen is the first woman to complete the Hawaii Ironman triathlon with an […] Read More

Usually for potlucks, I choose the lucky pot at Whole Foods on the way to the event. This week, for unknown reaons, I’m going to cook my own Thanksgiving pot. My assignment is stuffing for twelve. I found a recipe that is perfect for those who have issues with authority (or simply crave creative latitude): […] Read More

Two friends yesterday offered to give me professional feedback on my 394-page novel manuscript and get back to me in a couple of weeks–never mind that the holiday frenzy is cranking up. And they both refused my earnest offers of cash or kayaks. (They could get a couple of good kayaks for the going rate […] Read More

Went to a surprise party last night for a friend turning fifty. As I am six weeks from sixty, I was marveling at her youth, at the wealth of time ahead of her. A few years ago, when husband Bob turned sixty, my mother, then eighty, said, “You tell him I’ve had twenty good years […] Read More

Turning through an old Utne Reader last night, I came across a stunningly bold artist: Wolfgang Laib. One site I checked him out on called him a Post-Minimalist. Never heard of that before, but I’m in favor. What Laib does is take materials like milk or pollen or rice and use that organic life-generating stuff […] Read More

Just this morning I felt a stupid three-second waver while trying to find someone to sell me a used power supply for my not-new laptop. I was 40 minutes away from the one I’d forgotten and left at my office I was browsing the Yellow Pages, and thinking: But what if I call the wrong […] Read More

For moments when a bit of originality, creativity, authenticity, or daring are needed, try this experiment. Try saying a genuine prayer–even if you’re a nonbeliever. I don’t just mean a reflexive: Oh, God! Get me outta here! I mean: Hello, God, could you join me in this endeavour? Here’s what I need….(then be as specific […] Read More