Category: In This Together

When Fear Rules

January 1990: I flew back home to Minneapolis after attending my father’s funeral in England. As the plane descended over Minneapolis my anxiety level rose, as it always did at this point in my journey back to the USA. Flying doesn’t bother me in the least. It was the thought of being questioned by an…… Continue reading When Fear Rules

Prohibited Words

I heard no prohibited words this morning as I helped students to grapple with English.

Pacing the Halls

I’ve paced the halls of Methodist Hospital daily for two months. Nothing would function without recent immigrants, constantly cleaning.

Inauguration Day 2017

  Today, Inauguration Day 2017, I did my bit to support artistic expression and local beer. Artistic expression is constitutionally protected speech. Art can express compassion, empathy, inclusiveness, but it can be annoying, uncomfortable, nihilistic. A crucifix immersed in the artist’s urine is not my go-to artistic experience, but neither is mind-numbing kitsch. Many of…… Continue reading Inauguration Day 2017

How to Dispose of Unwanted Money

Tomorrow I’ll be stopping at the post office to drop off a box filled with foreign coins and banknotes. Last year, at Newcastle International Airport, I showed my nephews an easier way to dispose of foreign currency. I led them to a big, bubble-shaped currency donation bin, then handed them some UK coins. As you…… Continue reading How to Dispose of Unwanted Money

A Red Solo Cup

This morning I read that the developer of the red Solo cup, Robert Hulseman, had died. The cup was first produced in the 1970’s and is known to generations of students as the cup of choice for keggers. It’s also the preferred growing container for cannabis. I took the photograph at the top of this post…… Continue reading A Red Solo Cup