News & Articles

Renewed Friendships

Earlier this year, I renewed a friendship from over forty years ago.  I can’t remember which of us initiated the contact, but it has been a joy to chat back and forth even if it is only by email.  Then, this past week, a friend from over fifty years ago found my contact information on…

A Magnetic Mystery

I attended a wedding recently, one where, because my wife officiated, I was able to observe the ceremony close up.  Because my wife and I were both college professors for four decades, we have attended numerous weddings of students over those years, and we have both now officiated at several.   Weddings are wonderful when everything…

A Grandparent’s View Of History

Americans of my generation were born in the early years of the Cold War, and, as the word “cold” suggests, our time in history seemed frozen.  Yes, maps of the world had to be altered periodically to accommodate revolutions and other political upheavals in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America, but mostly the…

Lets Cool It

I suspect that most people would say that their favorite season of the year is summer.  Summer is associated with vacations, good times outdoors, and beloved sports like baseball, softball, tennis, and golf.  This is the season when people are usually more active and, consequently, usually experience better health.   But this summer in particular has…

Turning Our World Upside Down

When I taught religious studies for over four decades, I became quite used to people trivializing religion or dismissing it as something weak and anemic.  The whole point of being religious, some people would share with me, is to be kind.  No wonder many people think that religious training might be good for children but…

Wonder is Eternal

  There is a lot about aging that I’m fine with.  Getting to know and love my grandchildren is beyond anything that I expected, and there’s something to be said about not having to set an alarm for Monday mornings.  But I confess that I find it hard to say goodbye when friends pass away. …