The quality of retirement establishments varies greatly.  Some insist that difference depends on whether or not a company is non-profit or for-profit.  Years ago, my mother moved into a retirement center run by the Catholic Church.  Later it was sold to a for-profit organization. 

Recently, I shared research that compared the benefits of meditation to other activities that focused the mind.  That research found mediation had no significant advantage over other relaxation techniques, like listening to music.  (Blog 5/7/15)  Despite that report,  I ended the

A Facebook friend requested that l like her Facebook fan page, the site where she promotes her books.  She said she’d nearly reached 7,000 and hoped a few of us would put her over the top.  My eyes popped when I saw the number.  I have a fan page on Facebook.  My likes stand at

In her review of two new books*, Laura Kipnis discusses the distinction between guilt and shame.  (“The Deep, Dark, Ugly Thing,” by Laura Kipnis,  Harper’s, May 2015, pg. 93)  Guilt is an internal standard of personal values. Shame results from a violation of group standards.

While Edward Snowden continues to live a productive life in Russia, he remains an outlaw in his own country.  If he were to return to the United States, he would be prosecuted for revealing government secrets even though a federal court has ruled that the National Security Agency (NS

There’s a line in the Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam that, in flowery language says,  it would be great if we could remake the world nearer to our heart’s desire. I think it’s a fair objective, particularly as Nature’s design often diverges from my ideal.   If I ruled the world,

Given the complications that arise with electronic software and hardware — its cost, its unpredictable level of service, its arcane instructions, not to mention the cost of maintenance and repair — it’s a wonder that electronics are so popular.  Imagine how many vacuum

The last time Hillary Clinton ran for president, I worked so many long hours for her, she sent me a signed thank you note.  When she lost, I was heartbroken.  This upcoming election, I will support her again, but given a choice, I’d prefer to support Elizabeth Warren.  I admire t

I came across an essay about writers and silence the other day, written by Tillie Olsen in 1965 and reprinted in Harper’s Magazine in May of this year. (“Ways of Being Silent,” by Tillie Olsen, Harper’s Magazine, May 2015, pg. 25)  The theme is one I’ve considered of late (

In a recent celebrity interview, actress Candice Bergen, when asked if she had a motto in life, answered, “Eat dessert first.” (“Proust Questionnaire,” Vanity Fair, May 2015, pg. 174.)  I laughed because hers was a philosophy I could espouse.  Yes, I know pleasure as an end