Category Archives: Uncategorized

Trump’s Victory and its Ramifications

I woke this morning at 6:30 AM, a mere three hours after going to bed wretched from Donald Trump’s victory over Hillary Clinton.  She had failed to gain the needed 270 electoral votes to elect her President of the United … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Trump’s Victory and its Ramifications

Eva Taylor: A Woman to Admire

I stood in my friend’s living room this morning, doing yoga with three other older women, as I do several times each week—driving over the hill on Ringwood Road, through the brilliant yellows, reds, oranges and browns of autumn leaves, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Eva Taylor: A Woman to Admire

An Ode to Vivien C. Smith

I woke a few mornings ago, feeling light and happy, enjoying the beauty of the Northeast’s autumn.  Innocently I turned to Facebook, to pass a bit of pleasant time reading what family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances might have to say … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on An Ode to Vivien C. Smith

“The Boys in the Boat”: A Review

I never thought that I would choose to read a book about a sport.  I’m just not sporty!  But so many people recommended The Boys in the Boat that I took the bait….and I was caught, hook, line and sinker. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “The Boys in the Boat”: A Review

On ‘Composing a Further Life’ and Affiliate Faculty Positions

Three bits of information prompted these thoughts:  First, I heard the sad story of a young, affiliate faculty member and mother, working part time in three universities, widely spaced on the landscape.  She is under-paid and under-recognized at work, and … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on On ‘Composing a Further Life’ and Affiliate Faculty Positions

A Letter to Sign: Incompatibility of Intolerance with American Values

I just signed an open letter by Prakash Kashwan of the University of Connecticut, to be submitted to the New York Times by 23 December 2015 (Please click the link here to sign). It justly rails against the growing intolerance … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A Letter to Sign: Incompatibility of Intolerance with American Values

On Trump, Hitler and other Tyrants

We had a visit last night from an interesting young man.  He was here as an exchange student, getting an MBA at Cornell.  Of German stock, he is bright, articulate, and—amazingly—interested in discussing all sorts of topics with an elderly … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on On Trump, Hitler and other Tyrants

Are We Moving Toward Genocide in the US?

Magnus Fiskesjö, a professor of Anthropology at Cornell University, just gave a talk entitled  “The Future of Genocide in Asia: Burma and Elsewhere”.    He began with a discussion of the unique human nature of genocide, in comparison with other animals … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Are We Moving Toward Genocide in the US?

A Mini-Upswing and a Mini-Downswing in American Politics

Last night, on 13 October 2015, the five leading Democratic candidates for President of the United States had their first debate.  I sat glued to the TV for two and a half hours, interested in what they had to say, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A Mini-Upswing and a Mini-Downswing in American Politics

On Water and Tranquility

As I sat cross-legged on my cushion, preparing for my yoga session, a gentle voice urged me to “Think of a peaceful time when you were filled with tranquility.  Focus your awareness on that experience and keep it in your … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on On Water and Tranquility