The Very British Childhood of Anglophiles Everywhere
There can be a real thrill in testing out an idea you’ve read about. Is it true? Does it hold up to […]
The Strength that Comes from Stories in Childhood
One of the most memorable reads of 2023 for me was E.B. Sledge’s “With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa.” By […]
Can Watching YouTube Videos Make Your House Cleaner?
There are people who don’t care about little messes and clutter. And there are those of us who long continually for clean […]
Manic Martyr Moms on Mushrooms
Next up in the trend of “normalizing” and “destigmatizing,” we have moms on mushrooms. Unfortunately, we’re not talking about mothers learning new […]
Lois Lenski’s “Regionals”: Fascinating Stories for Young and Old
Lois Lenski is often remembered primarily as an illustrator. An introduction to her work may come through the amusing picture book series […]
What Grit Is and How to Have More of It
Reading Charles Portis’s excellent little book, “True Grit,” you will likely be entertained. Personally, I did not find it to be as […]
Propagating Success
Someone recently asked if I was actually a plant person or if I just pretended for my blog. An interesting query. Plants […]
Sentimentalizing Mothers and Mothers Who Are Not Overly Sentimental
Used book sales are a treasure trove of cast-off volumes, unwanted and unlooked for by most. Gorgeous old tomes sell for a […]
A Word from Charlie Munger on Luck
This year, as with every rotation around the sun, the world lost many lights. Jimmy Buffett and the other Buffett’s long-time business […]
Patricia Polacco’s “The Butterfly”: A Story of Hope in Cruel Times
Patricia Polacco’s picture book “The Butterfly” strikes a rare balance: grim and gritty and yet hopeful. The story is based on real-life […]