Summer has always been the traditional time for visitors, and at my house, these visitors are always welcome. A wonderful friend and her daughter have come to spend a few days. To commemorate the visit we found the first ripe tomatoes in the yard. As summer comes to an end, schools are gearing up, and I am very happy to be walking and talking to people inside a store, selling…

I have always had some pretty imaginative takes on the world. But like most people, I used to count on News to give me facts about what is happening. Yet more and more, I realize that facts are scarce or distorted, but opinion and fictionalized events are huge. It is difficult to know what is real and what is not. Recently I have had the opportunity to speak with some…

I have been struggling with writing this post for what feels like weeks, yet only a few days have passed. Mass shootings are terrible no matter where they occur and no matter who the targets are. It is gut wrenching to realize that one lone kook can break every social convention and open fire in a crowd. It makes us afraid, it makes us cautious, it is terrorizing. These shooters…