On this day, less than 24 hours after President Trump's reckless decision to toss a lit match into a dry forest, metaphorically speaking, I am so grateful for my Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom Sisters. Because of them, I am able to continue hoping that we can somehow surmount all the crazy and horrible that's drowning … Continue reading Insanity dressed up as ‘Peace:’ a random Jewish person’s take on Jerusalem
Category: Commentary
This morning, Sweetheart came in and sat at the at the edge of the bed. “There’s coffee downstairs. And it happened after we went to bed last night, but there’s fresh hell,” he said. I sat up. More quickly than I usually do first thing in the morning. “Fifty people were killed and more … Continue reading NRA helps ‘lone wolf’ Las Vegas shooter kill, injure hundreds at concert: how is this ‘not terrorism?’
Yesterday's New York Times featured a story about Anthony Weiner, the former congressman who decimated his family and career by engaging in virtual sex with random women and a teenage girl. In November, he will report to prison to begin serving a 21-month sentence, after which he has to register as a sex offender. There's … Continue reading Anthony Weiner sentenced at an interesting time….
When The New York Times recently ran a front page story about China's effort to combat "gray rhinos" --large and obvious problems that are often ignored until they become crisis-- I was beyond excited to see one of my dearest friends getting some well-deserved props. Then I looked for the citation – because, after all, “The Gray Rhino: … Continue reading The ‘Gray Rhino’ moves into a nursing home; great experiences ensue
In light of recent events surrounding United Airlines, I'm reposting this account of my 2015 United flight experience. Having flown them once since (to collect the $500 voucher referenced below), I made reservations with Sweetheart to fly United later this year. At the moment, I'm rethinking that decision and wishing my economic reality was such that … Continue reading An Open Letter to United Airlines: Rerun with Update
I am a lucky person. On weekday mornings, my alarm clock is Sweetheart coming through the bedroom door and handing me a cup of hot coffee. The ritual dates back to the early days of our relationship. Since January 20, there's been a new component. He hands me coffee. My line after "Thank you" is: "What fresh … Continue reading American ‘Greatness’ in action: Best celebrity gossip site & worst quiz ever
There is a lot of talk on social media about not letting the barrage of crazy shit coming out of the White House overwhelm us into paralysis. The best of these messages came from my pal Flo, who I will quote here: "The important thing for all of us to remember is that … Continue reading Use your words: Wise words from Flo and a letter to a Republican Senator
By this time tomorrow, a Giant Bowl of Id and his minions will be running the country. I'm anxious and I know I'm not alone. We need to band together and work to make sure this doesn’t happen in four years, including making sure mid-term elections head us in that direction. But demoralized, depressed people … Continue reading Staying sane in Trump’s America: a few handy survival tips
The best seven months of my work life so far are the ones I’ve spent as a public librarian. Here are a few of my favorite moments librarying and some pictures of the reason I now describe myself as my library’s “Display Queen.” (Yes, I did use “library” as a verb. Thank you for noticing.) … Continue reading Great moments in librarying (yes, it’s a verb now), with illustrations
2016 is in the rear-view mirror. Last night, we attended a New Year’s Eve party at a house we’ve been lucky enough to be invited to for the past several Dec. 31sts. The host (a guy about my age) remarked that, “We’re old enough that the people who influenced us are starting to die off.” The observation was … Continue reading Strange rites of passage and no bullshit: Welcome, 2017!
the sentence factory 