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
Category: Social Justice
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
Ever been told to be careful about that sour expression on your face because “It might freeze like that?” The truth is actually simpler and more complicated, and I offer up as Exhibits A (male) & B (female) our current mess of a president and one of his "counselors." … Continue reading Kill ’em with kindness: Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and the ‘Old People Hypothesis’
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
This morning, I woke up to the Facebook village and Twittesphere going nuts over what happened when Vice-President Elect Mike Pence went to see "Hamilton" last night. My first thought was "Geez! If I'd known becoming vice president would have helped me get 'Hamilton' tickets, I would have applied for the job." But who am I kidding? … Continue reading Two post-election vignettes: ‘Hamilton’ cast makes most of ‘Carpe Diem’ moment; Ephemeral display lets librarian do the same
Dear American Muslims and others feeling unsettled by the possibility of no longer being safe in your own country: There is no delicate way to say what I am about to say, so I am just going to say two things that have been running through my mind since Tuesday night. I am so sorry … Continue reading An open letter to American Muslims and Anyone Else Unsettled by the US Election: a Dispatch from the Land of Trumpelstiltskin
Fifty days ago, I made an election display at the library. There’s so much crazy flying around and libraries are supposed to be safe havens. I wanted my display to do two things: Provide a way to give people access to digestible and genuine information about the candidates. Remind us all that at least this … Continue reading One display, one playlist, one eighth-grade groper & one heart-to-heart across voting lines: a 2016 presidential election word buffet
While Sweetheart and I were somewhere loud and happy Saturday night (a wedding), loud and not-so-happy things were happening close to us. In the morning, my friend Walter, a Baptist minister, posted this selfie on his way to his church. He invoked Nehmiah 1. By then, we’d heard the news. Riots had broken out hours after a police … Continue reading Police shootings, mob violence and the comfort of strangers: A Dispatch from Milwaukee
My first week as a public librarian was all I could have hoped for and then some. There’s an overwhelming amount of information to absorb, all of it fascinating. The people I’m working with, to a one, have been fabulous. They're supportive, welcoming and just the right amount of friendly – a matter-of-fact “here’s what I do, … Continue reading May rejection make you smile: my wish for job-seekers
the sentence factory 