The first public library I ever walked into was on wheels. There was an elementary school, more than one synagogue and church, but no nearby library in the Brooklyn neighborhood of my early childhood years. Situated on the edge of East Flatbush and Canarsie, that maze of 20 six-story … [Read more...] about The Bookmobile
Letting Go
The other day I became obsessed with finding two books I could not easily locate. It was a reference to one of them—The Family of Man—in Sally Mann’s wonderful memoir that set me on my mission. The other book, To Be Nobody Else, bears a connection in my mind to The … [Read more...] about Letting Go
Gods. Heroes. Monsters.
II you’re a mother (even if you’re not) picture this scenario: It’s the ‘80s. You’ve been invited to Michael Jackson’s Xanadu, otherwise known as Neverland, with your adorable, talented seven-year-old son. Once he caught Michael’s eye in a dance competition, the … [Read more...] about Gods. Heroes. Monsters.
Isn’t it just like February?
It hits me every year, just as January rolls into February: the shift in daylight, so incremental until it's suddenly noticeable, particularly around sunset. Groundhog aside, all you need is to pay attention to the light to know spring is on its way. Of all the months in the year, February … [Read more...] about Isn’t it just like February?
Once in a blue moon
A week ago an email database of mine disappeared. Gone from the server, no clear explanation of how it happened other than an unfortunate glitch in the process of moving my website/blog from one server to another. That’s reason enough to warrant freaking out (or appeal to the Russians for … [Read more...] about Once in a blue moon
Feed the mind. Feed the spirit.
Last week found me a little more adventurous than usual on Instagram. I posted a photo, with a caption, a bit tongue-in-cheek: ‘Cozying up for some inspirational reading. What will I choose first?” If the purpose of social media, in its varied forms, is to let people know what you’re … [Read more...] about Feed the mind. Feed the spirit.