Articles
The One With the Topiaries
A few years ago, I was watching a television show about gardening. (Why? I don't have a garden. Or a yard. Or even a green thumb for that matter.) I saw a clip about Pearl Fryar, a self-taught topiary artist. I use the word artist deliberately, and you'll see why in...
The One With the Blizzard That Wasn't
The snowpocalypse that meteorologists predicted for the New York City area earlier this week swung everyone into high gear. Subway and bus service (which normally operates 24/7 here) stopped running. Non-essential vehicles were banned from the streets. Schools called...
The One with the Pale Blue Dot
"It underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot—the only home we've ever known." ~Carl Sagan A confluence of three events occurred in recent weeks: two were global news and one was personal. The...
The One With the Greyhound
Every morning in my neighborhood park, I watch a greyhound play fetch. He has sleek, black fur, but he wears a red coat now that it's cold. He streaks across the grass in a blur of grace and fluidity, his paws meeting beneath him and then extending for another long...
The One With the Shopping Bag
Work ended on a sour note the other day. I learned, only after several emails and phone calls, that a supplier was going to be late making a delivery—four or five days late. The supplier feigned an apology in the same backhanded way Shia LeBeouf apologizes to his...
The One With the Gingerbread Extravaganza
Years ago, I worked at Rockefeller Center, where the humongous Christmas tree overlooks the main square. The tree is all glitz and glamour, full of charisma. There is a gilded romance about it all. Seeing it in person—feeling the cold breeze against my cheeks while...
The One With the Circle of Compassion
Joy Southard is one of my favorite people on the planet. True, I haven't met all of the people on the planet, but if even if I did, I assure you, Joy would still be at the top of the list. We met a few years ago when I interviewed her for an article I was writing...
The One with the Dress Code
I bought a bright blue jacket. It's the color of a blue jay. This shouldn't be big news, except that I live in New York City, where we have a dress code. That dress code consists of one color: black. The jacket was available in several colors. Standard black, of...
Fifth Annual Great Books to Give…and Get
Books make great gifts. If you've got a long list of people to buy for this holiday season and no idea what to get them, here are a few suggestions. (BTW, I can't believe this is the fifth installment!) For those who want to sink their teeth into an epic: The...
The One with Back to the Future
I was walking Reggie in the early evening darkness when I saw the faint outline of my neighbor approaching. I'd been hoping to run into her. I had to ask if it was her name listed in the credits of a popular literature webisode. She has an unusual name, which nearly...
I’m Reading
