ruth farmer
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Ways of Seeing: Other ideas are worth considering
In my courses, students explore important issues in the world and express their views on these pressing concerns. An important goal is to help them consider that their…
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Ways of seeing: Spending $1B a day on war doesn’t balance
What might $1 billion a day purchase besides war?
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Ways of Seeing: Gatherings bring peace of mind
I’d spent far too many hours scrolling through news items, podcasts, emails, and other missives that had at bottom the same message: This country is in trouble. I…
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Ways of Seeing: AI bots aren’t always intelligent
Recently, my cell phone stopped receiving texts and phone calls. Because I have a landline, I was able to call my service provider to get help. Like most…
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Ways of Seeing: Listening, learning, getting along
My goal for this column was to not write about election outcomes. Yet, I’m experiencing the pink elephant paradox: No matter how hard I try not to think…
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Ways of Seeing: Messages of hope are needed
A few weeks ago, I attended All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne because I was intrigued by the focus of the service, “Jubilee for the Earth.”
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Ways of Seeing: What I’ve been reading
Three years ago, I joined Goodreads’ annual reading challenge. Since then, I’ve read between 65 and 100 books a year. Frequently, I randomly choose books, then find that…
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Ways of Seeing: Gaye’s musical message endures
Recently, I got the urge to listen to Marvin Gaye’s album “What’s Going On?” I’m fortunate enough to own the CD and, yes, I still have a CD…
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Ways of Seeing: Older workers are part of the equation
A few weeks ago, I read a New York Times article that both intrigued and annoyed me: “Vermont May Be the Face of a Long-Term U.S. Labor Shortage.”
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Ways of Seeing: Coming together with music, song
I’m an introvert, a term I embrace with pride, though I didn’t always see this trait as positive. Throughout my life, I’ve heard people refer to me as…
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Ways of Seeing: Libraries are a place of connection
In the few months that I’ve been a volunteer at the Lawrence Memorial Library, I’ve realized that many of my activities require using tape: Scotch tape, binding tape,…
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Ways of Seeing: What a difference a rest makes
As someone who finds it hard to nap, resting as a practice is a revolutionary and challenging act, but during the holiday season I gave myself that gift.
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Ways of Seeing: Positive attitude is the best policy
Emotions aren’t just internal; they are shared with others and can influence others. In other words, they have a social function.
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Ways of Seeing: Students offer their take on war
For several years, one of the assignments for my Community College of Vermont students has been to explore the concept of war and the possibility of world peace.
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Ways of Seeing: Productivity is tough to measure
For the past few years, I’ve had an aversion to the word “productive” or any terminology that hints at it.
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Ways of seeing: Gardening is truly an act of faith
I never realized how much faith and patience I had until I’d harvested my first crop of garlic over twenty years ago when I lived in Charlotte.