Category Archives: Life and Death

What Matters in the End?

Posted on October 19, 2013 by

Here is one answer, from playwright, author, actor Alice Childress:  “Life is just a short walk from the cradle to the grave, and it sure behooves us to be kind to one another along the way.” And here is another, from … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Definitions, Democracy, Freedom, Life and Death, Personal Essay, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Shock and Awe at Yale

Posted on June 30, 2013 by

On a recent visit to the newly expanded and renovated Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven, CT, this is the first thing that greeted our eyes beyond the glass doors: We automatically found ourselves looking up. Seeing nothing beyond … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Challenge, Etcetera, Life and Death | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

WHAT DOES BEING HUMAN MEAN, ANYWAY?

Posted on April 16, 2013 by

The eager innocent eyes are those of Martin Richard, 8 years old, first victim of the depraved bombers who desecrated the Boston Marathon. The marathon commemorates the horseback ride of Paul Revere to rouse his fellow countrymen on April 15th, … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Democracy, Etcetera, Evolution, Failure, Happiness, Life and Death, Personal Essay | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments

Why I Haven’t Been Posting Lately —

Posted on March 29, 2013 by

I blame it on this guy: Roger Sessions (1896 – 1985) was the most prolific and illustrious 20th century composer I had never heard of. That is, until I entered the continuing education seminar I’m taking now, Music for Mourning. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Life and Death, Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

The “WHOMP!” Factor

Posted on February 5, 2013 by

And what do I mean by the “WHOMP!” factor? Well, for Downton Abbey watchers, it was the episode just before last in Season 3, when Lady Sybil, in the throes of childbirth, suddenly began to exhibit symptoms of eclampsia and … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Enlightenment, Etcetera, Health, Life and Death, Personal Essay, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

The Way It Is in the Winter of the Soul —

Posted on January 30, 2013 by

Almost February, the nadir of the year (according to me). Even though the light has begun returning, it is still a dark time, cold, snowy, gray when it isn’t black. My head tells me that, underneath the snowy blanket outside, … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Etcetera, Life and Death, winter, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 42 Comments

INFERNO! (Well, not exactly —-)

Posted on August 4, 2012 by

But when you’re woken out of a sound sleep at four in the morning because the hotel’s fire alarm is honking madly away, you can be excused for expecting a great drama. At least. Here’s what happened — It had … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Life and Death, Photography | Tagged , , , | 34 Comments