A different cartoon version of Lena–this time courtesy of BuzzFeed–and an attempt to answer her aforementioned question. (Click on the image to get to the piece. )
Category: Food for Thought
Against My Religion
Once a week, to earn my member discount, I chop vegetables in the kitchen at the Coop. My co-workers are mostly professional cooks, all of whom work insanely fast compared to me. They are also young and hip, in a wholesome sort of way. To my right works a cook with buzzed-short hair and a fisherman’s… Continue reading Against My Religion
March of the Miser
When I told my son Noah that this month at our house would be the March of the Miser, and that therefore we wouldn’t be buying anything, he looked at me evenly and said, “We never buy anything.” We are, in many respects, a frugal family. The kids know that “new books” come from the library and that… Continue reading March of the Miser
Human Power vs. a Higher Power
Principal Nadia Lopez of Mott Hall Bridges Academy in Brooklyn is the better person we all wish we were. She spends her days not just running a school in a high-poverty area but also personally attempting to empower every “scholar” in her school. This is what she says about the school color being purple, the… Continue reading Human Power vs. a Higher Power
The End of Will Power
When my adult piano class disbanded for the summer last June, we promised to return in the fall with a new piece to play for each other. Still giddy from not embarrassing myself at the end-of-year recital, I carried home from that final class a heap of optimism and a bundle of new sheet music.… Continue reading The End of Will Power
Grace for an Atheist Table
As an atheist, I have always loved Thanksgiving. It’s the perfect holiday: national but not nationalistic, it celebrates consumption but not consumerism. And it provides all the benefits of a religious holiday (food! family! fellowship!) without reference to a Supreme Being. Or so I thought. Until, curious, I looked up the facts — a terrible… Continue reading Grace for an Atheist Table
Frightening!
With thanks to Slate.com.
Slave Trader. Murderer. National Hero?
This is how, years ago, I demonstrated to my children the concept that Columbus Discovered America: I stood up, turned away from where they sat eating dinner, turned back, and—with an arm raised in triumph—declared, “I have discovered this table!” And then I sat on my daughter. Sometimes I think I would be good at… Continue reading Slave Trader. Murderer. National Hero?
The Anxious Heart of Our National Anthem
I’m happy to report that today’s post comes via The Post. It’s a meditation on a little song we sing all the time but don’t think much about. Click on the image to read the piece . . .
The Truth About Lying
You’ve tried to teach your children that it’s wrong to lie. That honesty is the best policy. That you won’t be mad about the juice pooling around your iPhone as long as someone tells you the truth. Here’s the truth: your children are going to lie to you. Don’t get too upset. After all, let’s… Continue reading The Truth About Lying