Ways of Seeing: No time for boredom anymore

I’m bored. This constant refrain during the long unstructured summer vacations of my youth has somehow turned into a phrase people will do anything to avoid.

Ways of Seeing: Why so much time in the garden?

Most mornings, I step out the back door to check the weather, coffee mug in hand. Inevitably something in my garden beds cannot be left another minute.

Ways of Seeing: The arts shouldn’t cave, but do we?

In a dimly lit theater in Scotland, a liquid female voice, piped through the intercom, says: “Please keep your cell phone on at all times, so we can track you at any moment.”

Ways of Seeing: ‘Small worlds’ provide connection

Shortly after landing my first teaching job, I viewed an exhibit of “Planets” by glass artist Josh Simpson. Each piece was a globe infused with a world of organic forms.

Ways of Seeing: Students are on the right side of history

I challenge anyone to come up with a widespread student movement that was not proved morally correct over time, even if it was vilified by college administrations and the news media while it was happening.

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 don’t disagree.

Ways of Seeing: Going backwards has its benefits

Middlebury used to be a place where you could get things fixed instead of buying new. It was a time before nearly everything came from chains or big box stores or was delivered at the door.

Ways of Seeing: Familiar routines provide solace

On a cold, grisly Saturday, my husband and I had the joy of attending Grandparent’s Day at the Quarry Hill School. The warmth, light and laughter inside the building was a welcome contrast to the chaotic weather outside.

Ways of Seeing: Stand up to power, don’t kneel

It is the big Christmas concert at my junior high school. A young soloist with a piano accompaniment is just finishing the first verse of “O Holy Night,” her sweet voice soaring. Suddenly, massed choruses and the orchestra with deeply resonating tympanies … (read more)

Ways of Seeing: Learning from Holocaust survivors

Life is challenging right now. And I don’t mean just the price of eggs. Every day the news is filled with stories we never thought could happen outside a history book or a dystopian novel.

Ways of Seeing: ‘Active procrastination’ is good

While I was not writing this article that is due imminently, I carried out some research on procrastination to delay actually writing it. Turns out people have studied this phenomenon, and the general idea is that there are two categories: passive procras … (read more)

Ways of Seeing: Practicing Kindness amidst Uncertainty

I implore you — my neighbors — to show up for each other in whatever way you can and to avoid judging others because they may not choose to engage the way that you do right now.

Ways of Seeing: Being OK, even if confronting ‘all this’

With the threat of authoritarianism on the rise and daily news stories of one or another government agency being gutted by an unelected plutocrat, I am disturbed, but also aware that I can choose my emotional response. I will use my voice to express disap … (read more)

Ways of Seeing: ‘Us vs. them’ needs to be left behind

People love opposition. Whether it’s a school rivalry or a business competition, it doesn’t take much difference to turn things into “us v. them.” In fact, it doesn’t take any.

Ways of Seeing: Make a statement, shop local

One of my first teaching positions was at a Montessori elementary school a block away from the United Nations. I was thrilled to land this job. The only hitch was my annual starting salary of $9,000. Studio apartments in that neighborhood ran around $1,50 … (read more)

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