Monthly Archives: October 2017

Visiting Longwood

I recently visited Longwood Gardens to explore on my own some of the newly-renovated areas I was too busy to see while volunteering. As part of my rounds, I stopped in to visit the staff member who is in charge … Continue reading

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Advertising Trickery

Why do advertisers always tout the upper range of anything desirable? (Because they’re advertisers. Duh!) They say a car will get up to 30 miles to the gallon. Does anyone bring one back, saying, “I want to return this. I … Continue reading

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Jake Leg

“Jake Leg,” by Dan Baum.  The New Yorker, 9/15/2003. I was talking with my neighbor, a young woman who was walking her dog, Jake. I told her “Jake” was an easy name to remember because a well-known blues song is … Continue reading

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Nikia Phoenix

Back in June 30, 2014, I wrote about a Cadillac Escalade commercial that featured Nikia Phoenix, a freckle-faced blackish woman playing the role of an Egyptian princess in the opening fraction of a second. But it was enough. In one … Continue reading

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Witch Hazel

Let me be clear from the start—I know almost nothing about plants. The little I do know comes from spotty observation, but my knowledge is paper-thin.  Those who know me would laugh at any of my attempts to sound scholarly … Continue reading

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Weather Forecasting By Flag

I put up a flag every morning that I can see from the window next to my computer where I spend a significant part of every day. My initial idea was to put up a weather vane, but I could … Continue reading

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Confusing the Role With the Actor

Years ago, I lived close enough to work that I could bike home for lunch. The young female clerical staff of our group ate a packed lunch in the building where they evidently had access to a TV set. We … Continue reading

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The Older You Get, The Easier You Can Lose It

For many years, I have known a woman in our senior center, who by now must be in her early 90s. She lived alone in her own home which was now far too big for her needs. Her husband died … Continue reading

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Phil Herr Died

Classmate Phil Herr died October 5. His obituary was in the Inquire (Philly.com) under “Death notices,” linked to Legacy.com. He died in Ocean Grove, NJ, but had been living in Radnor, and was a partner in the law firm of … Continue reading

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The Unitarian Buddha

Several years ago, the Unitarian church across the street put up this bigger-than-life bronze statue obviously representing Buddha brought into our modern times and culture, which is a worthwhile goal since Buddha, as most often represented, is a concept, not … Continue reading

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