First, the hope. Elena Kagan moves up to big-game hunting with Antonin Scalia. I tend to think the lack of civility in DC that we see on TV DOES have something to do with a decided lack of shmoozing across the aisles. There are lots of great stories and anecdotes of old-school friendships that crossed political lines in bygone years, but not so much of late. So. Happy that the Justices get along. That makes me happy.   Less hopeful is the...

For a few weeks I’ve been bugged about an advice columnist’s response to a plea and while whining to my husband he looked at me and said over the top of his glasses, “This, *ahem* sounds like a blog post.” So I bring my issue to you to ask for advice. I trust you more. The basic question is this: if you have dietary restrictions—especially ones that are medical—how does one gently and helpfully get that information...

Well, we’ve turned the corner on the decade marking September 11, 2001. Eleven years out, now, but who’s counting? Over the years I’ve written many different 9/11 posts starting with our experience long before there were blogs. I also wrote about it irregularly here, on or around 9/11 anniversaries. on the ten year anniversary on the nine year anniversary on the six year anniversary and last year, after being interviewed by...

I was asked by a fellow blogger, Julie at Happy Catholic, if I’d want to add a 9/11 post to a portal she’s a part of and I said yes (it’s not like this is new terrain for me). Then she said, “maybe something about forgiveness” and that stopped me.

Forgiveness?

For 9/11?

You’re kidding, right?

Recently I was interviewed for USA Today’s article 10 years later, those who left NYC look back. During the course of the interview I was struck by the kindness and generosity of the three people with whom I made contact at the news organization—the reporter, the videographer/photographer, and the web video editor. Seriously smart, funny, kind people who didn’t fit the casual stereotype of biased media in any regard. They were...

…I live in AZ and my Mother taught me I shouldn’t lie. The UK’s Guardian weighs in on AZ. I am quite happy to concede that both political sides have engaged in hyperbole and insanely over-the-top rhetoric, but a wonderful little girl on my son’s little league team died this weekend as a result of an unhinged young man getting riled up. I don’t much care if he was driven mad by a particular party or a particular bit...