Articles

Julia Sneden writes: It happened quite late on Christmas Eve. As I recall, the only ones in the living room were my son William and his five-month-old son Adam, who was being walked and burped after polishing off his late bottle. I was in the kitchen, busily putting things to rights for the umpteenth time that day, when William called me into the living room. "Watch this," he said. more »

Joan L. Cannon writes: Did you ever notice the inverse proportions of our lives that seem to be dependent on our ages? The changing importance of common segments of time, of course, are most obvious, perhaps — like a decade seeming half way to forever when you’re fourteen, and about like a week when you’re seventy. During our middle years, we often wish only to expand our horizons — all of them. Then along comes the evidence that whether we like it or not, those horizons are drawing closer to us instead of receding. more »

Last minute ideas for gifts should be able to be found in your local stores and online: The ECOlogical Calendar for 2013; a book about illusion and art; a 4-cylinder motor to build; a pattern book for sewers; a 1000-piece puzzle for bird watchers and others, Avian Friends; building warrior robots for racing and an adventure game, Forbidden Island. more »

Ferida Wolff writes: We visited a Cuban cooperative organic farm. The land is still state-owned but the produce can be sold privately. We ate in a few paladars, small, privately owned restaurants located in homes. What we found was a resourceful culture, friendly people, and music that enlivens everything. more »