Self-defense against fresh fruit
The lady in the little booth sauntered over as I rolled up in our Honda and let the window down. “Any fresh fruit or plants?” she wanted to know. “Yes,” I said, holding up our on-the-road munchies. “A...
View ArticleThe 5-cent critic on “Brave”
Warning: Here there be spoilers. Here’s what I like about “Brave,” the newest movie in the Pixar pantheon: – The princess has zero interest in getting married. – Not only that, said princess can take...
View ArticleLife, liberty and the pursuit of fireworks
It’s interesting to think about all the things that are OK to do in this country probably only by virtue of the fact that they’ve been legal for a long time. Take driving, for instance. If motorized...
View ArticleOn ending half a life
My cat is gone. His body is still here, still breathing. His ears twitch a little. One eye can squeeze shut, although the other has a fixed, dull stare. And – how very like him – he can still shed...
View ArticleThe bell tolls for ‘hu’
Rufus Xavier Sarsaparilla helped explain the mysteries of pronouns to the Princesses a few years ago, via “Schoolhouse Rock.” Here’s a sampling of the lyrics, if you’re not (shame on you) familiar with...
View ArticleThoughts on the ‘Batman’ massacre
Children drown in rivers. Car wrecks claim lives. Cancer claims friends, relatives and coworkers. Earthquakes strike. So do tornadoes. Tsunamis. Lightning-caused wildfires. Freak accidents and...
View ArticleInformation free? The gatherers aren’t
In case you hadn’t heard, we here at the Albany Democrat-Herald will soon be asking readers who do most of their news viewing online to pay us something for the privilege. Reactions to that information...
View ArticleQualifying for the Familympics
The things that occur to me, watching reruns of the Olympic highlights late at night online: How is it, in a world where everybody gets a trophy, that I’m still without a gold medal? It’s the obvious...
View ArticleGot skills?
Hello, my name is Jennifer and I can barely change a light bulb. In fact, I think that’s about the high-water mark of my trades skills. Can I lay a foundation? Nope. Build a birdhouse? Know the theory....
View ArticleKeep Calm and Carry On
My boss has a poster in his office of the British saying that has lately become such a catchphrase: “Keep Calm and Carry On.” I can see it every time I look up from my computer. I’ve been trying to...
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