In 1952, a man flew to Denmark and came back as a woman.  Her new name was Christine Jorgensen, and she made headlines around the world.  I was 16 at the time and, until Christine made her sex change public, I never understood people could  be uncomfortable with their gender. Sadly

  We’ve come a long way from the Arab Spring when Facebook’s technology and that of other social media platforms stirred and facilitated freedom lovers.  Those who supported democratic movements thought they were witnessing technology’s miracle: the ability for ordinar

Recently, there was a dustup at Reed College, my alma mater.  Like elsewhere, the students are balking against the curriculum.  In particular, they resent being dragged through the Humanities, a survey course on western culture that begins with ancient Greece.  To focus

Recently, I spent an hour dealing with one of the companies that provides credit score histories. I didn’t have a problem.  I was trying to prevent one after the business was hacked.  I’m not clear how these enterprises came into existence, or why they’re allowed to  track my

When one woman raises her voice to push forward the boundary on women’s rights, other women stand ready to play whack-a-mole with her head. (Blogs 2/3/27, 11/7/17)  Most recently, two former French sex goddesses of the 1950-60s, Catherine Deneuve and Brigitte Bardot,  (Click)  ha

Not long ago, a blog reader wrote that the titles of my essays often hooked her into reading the text.  But of course!  That is my intention and I especially like it when I can draw a connection between my humble text and the work of a great artist.   Unfortunately, the new dictat

Language is a frail bridge upon which to send out our thoughts and feelings over time and space.  Where is the congruity between puffs of air and our inner lives?  To achieve communion with someone outside ourselves is akin to magic. That bridge becomes frailer when we factor in age

As much as I admire Hillary Clinton, as much as I acknowledge she is a role model for upcoming generations of women, as successfully as she’s mastered numerous tasks, from First Lady to United States Senator, to Secretary of State, to becoming a creditable candidate for the nation�

The other day I found my quilter friend at the retirement center working on a machine, stitching leafy patterns over her latest creation. Fascinated, I stood breathing over her should until she stopped to ask if I wanted to learn the process.  “Yes, please,” I blurted out before

Mystery writer, Susan Stoner and I produce Just Read It, a 10 minute YouTube program reviewing national best sellers. We air them 8 times a year and invite a local writer to join us each time.  We’ve been at our project for two years and our audience continues to grow.  Naturally,