Cognitive Anchoring is the thing I spoke about at MIT for the Common Cod Fiber Guild last week. It’s a term I had to make up because no one else had tied the pieces together in regards to knitting and how it affects the mind. I’m working up a teaser for the talk to post here so if you, your guild, or your LYS would like to have me come speak/teach, you’ll have something to point to. There’s been zero research into...

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...

I know it must seem odd to have me post my reactions to  the most recent Atlantic Monthly’s article about the oddities of anesthesia, but most of my readers are women and we often get a smile and a nod at doctor’s offices. I have on this topic, anyway. I thought forewarned=armed=safe, so… here. Enjoy.  * * * When I was younger (and my hair was less inclined toward greying), if I were to go out into the sun for any length of...

Having spent every day since December 18th, 2012 on my back in bed (at least for some significant portion of each day) due to flu–>pneumonia, I thought it might be prudent of me to share what I learned with you since the flu seems to be doing the tango with the Eastern Seaboard. Please feel free–feel encouraged, actually—to share your own insights, tips, and tricks below. The more useful this page becomes… well… the...

Disclaimers first: I loved Les Mis when I saw it in London in 1987. I have owned the soundtrack since then. Yes, I do think Colm Wilkinson is the yardstick by which every Jean Valjean should be measured. I’ve only just started reading the book (I’m up to where Valjean is running to get young Cosette–that would be about 70,000 pages in). I majored in theatre. I love theatre. I love theatre tricks. I love theatricality. I even...

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...