Ways of Seeing
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Ways of Seeing: Grappling with Trump’s policies
It has been quite an eventful few weeks, to say the least. There have been many contradictions and plenty of intense emotions—fear, anger, and probably for some, even…
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Ways of Seeing: Who are our actual criminals?
Recently I read a statistic that really blew my mind. If you add up all the theft that happens in the U.S. annually, shoplifting, car break-ins, robberies, burglaries,…
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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: AI bot proved not up to the task
This fall my sister drove up for a visit. The leaves were gorgeous. We took golden crisp walks in Lincoln and Bristol and ate heartily from our garden’s…
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Ways of Seeing: Animals have their own languages
It’s dangerous to speak too freely around this house. Drop an unguarded “walk” or “go out” and our collie, sleeping peacefully by the fire, transforms into a leaping,…
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Ways of Seeing: Knitting a relationship together
For interests on my Match.com profile, I wrote, “I knit, run a non-profit, make documentaries, and read.” I showed this to my daughter. “Knit, Mom? You put that…
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Ways of Seeing: Constructive change takes work
Most mornings the granddaughters and I drive to New Haven Town Hall to catch the Tri-Valley bus to Bristol. When we arrive at the bus stop we jump…
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Ways of Seeing: Could crisis be something else?
“Happy new year!” “Happy new year!” With The Holidays soon to be past, you’ll hear it from just about everyone you meet on the street. It’s a pleasant…
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Ways of Seeing: Lone goose’s cry was symbolic
Then came the sound: a single goose high above us, flying through the night. Its call surprised me. Geese are a harbinger of what is coming seasonally, but…
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Ways of Seeing: Tiger in Bristol carved a niche
I’ve known about the Exxon Tiger for most of my life. It is a small piece of Bristol’s history tied to my family. For long-time Bristol residents it…
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Ways of Seeing: Finding light in times of darkness
This is a tough time of year. It’s the time when suicides increase and when people feel tremendous isolation and loss. It is when darkness creeps in, literally…
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Ways of Seeing: My way of keeping ‘Kosher’
My parents grew up in kosher homes, but didn’t continue that when I was growing up. I thought the kosher rules were silly, though I would never have…
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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: Popular pet has big personality
I call Buster Rick’s therapy cat. At the end of a busy day or even a stressful election season, he’ll curl onto Rick’s lap and take a nap.…
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Ways of Seeing: Crises showing our vulnerability
Have you heard of the Thin Veneer Theory? This is the idea that underneath a thin layer of civility, inside we are all selfish brutes. Veneer Theory holds…
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Ways of Seeing: MNFF organizers do it the right way
This month the Middlebury New Filmmakers Film Festival held a friendly cocktail hour at Middlebury Inn to thank the hosts who had given housing to this year’s filmmakers…