When the penny was redesigned in 2009-10, the new reverse side featured a shield. The slogan E pluribus unum – “from many, one” – became larger. In the last few days, I’ve wondered if there is anything which we all agree on. Surely we all agree that the murder of innocents is wrong and that … read more Day 56: E pluribus unum
Month: August 2015
Day 55: The September 1st breeze
When I moved to North Georgia, I noticed that there was a certain breeze that arrived every year around September 1. A breeze that was not fresh like the breezes of spring, or humid like the hot breezes of summer. A breeze that bites with ice. It’s distinct from the lovely breezes that start cooling off the … read more Day 55: The September 1st breeze
Day 54: Katy DID
I used to think that thunderous noise at night was cicadas, but I learned that it was katydids. Yes, those sweet-faced insects that look like a leaf. When there are thousands of them, they start to talk in rhythm, call-and-response. Some people think their debate goes: “Katy DID!” “Katy DIDN’T!” Whatever they are arguing about, it’s intense. … read more Day 54: Katy DID
Day 53: Waiting
I am waiting for Tom to get home. He’s 20 minutes later than he should be, so I assume he is dead. This is how my mind works. A survival technique: Expect the worst, and you will be pleased when it doesn’t happen. If it does happen, you’ll be ready. You might call this worrying, … read more Day 53: Waiting
Day 52: Abundance
Some of my fellow residents in this wooded mountain community have been concerned about the number of “webs” in the trees this summer. They’re referring to “webworms,” which look like thick masses of spider web but are actually cocoons for a whole nursery of caterpillars. One woman attacked with vigor: She swept and cut them … read more Day 52: Abundance
Day 51: Mao’s holy cards
In the midst of this week’s scare about China, I happened to be sorting through memorabilia from the early ’90s, when I lived, worked and traveled there. And I found the Mao holy cards. That’s what our group of resident foreigners called them: laminated portrait cards of Chairman Mao, which suddenly appeared, hanging first from … read more Day 51: Mao’s holy cards
Day 50: The absence of pain
When you’re young and you say “I was feeling no pain,” you mean that you were happily drunk or high. Today I was feeling no pain, but in the sense that a 50-something means it: Yea!! I didn’t have any pain! Well, no major pain, anyhow. True, my foot ached from the bone spurs, and … read more Day 50: The absence of pain
Day 49: I’ve seen better
The day started out well enough – extra time in the morning with Tom is the best way I can think of to ease into a new week. Nothing particularly bad happened during the day. Mostly routine, but not boring. But somehow, at 2:30, I felt like I couldn’t really do anything else today. I did, of … read more Day 49: I’ve seen better
Day 48: The tiles of oppression
Dad used to joke that it cost $3,000 to have our living room curtains cleaned. After they were dry-cleaned, the newly bright curtains made the rest of the room look dingy. A few months later, they’d bought new furniture, installed wall-to-wall carpet, and bought a TV with a hardwood cabinet. (You could do all that … read more Day 48: The tiles of oppression
Day 47: The elephant in the room
I have talked around it, walked around it, ignored it, and pasted pennies on top of it. All day today I found ways to do anything but that: I would rather cook, clean the kitchen, shop, go to Costco, and test couches at the furniture store. Anything but Art. There. I said it. I’m not … read more Day 47: The elephant in the room