Category Archives: Uncategorized

1/11/25: Ring-Necked Ducks

Down at the pond, we had a rare calm sunny day of winter. On today’s visit there was a new kind of waterfowl. My phone camera doesn’t capture bird pictures. But of course the Cornell Bird Lab comes through instead. … Continue reading

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12/31/24: Mingling in Good Faith

1/5/25, wee update: Our same Catholic church-which-does-all-things-brilliantly emailed me a month ago about a welcome social brunch scheduled for today. It was their first social since pandemic lockdown. They wanted to welcome all the people who had registered with the … Continue reading

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11/28/24: Thanksgiving Ramble

Usual Big Disclaimer: These notes mention a couple of potentially edible plants. But as always, don’t put anything in your mouth on my say-so. Why would you go to a foreign-language major for your foraging or nutritional advice? After the … Continue reading

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11/15/24: Cashiers

On our street at National Grocery Chain, a cashier is leaving. His presence has been one more important seamless stitch holding together the social fabric of our everyday lives. When the stitches of presence work together, the fabric runs like … Continue reading

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11/1/2024: Someone Left the Pizza in the Rain

Well, not really in the rain. It was tucked back under the eaves out of the path of the rain, on a bench under the call box of our building, where clearly someone didn’t pick up the phone in time … Continue reading

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10/27/24: Around the Neighborhood

It’s a bright sunny afternoon. High school is letting out, and teenagers are everywhere. Outside our building the local bus stops to swap some students off and on. Then in a flash, something goes haywire — and not with the … Continue reading

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10/27/2024: Apple Chutney

Chop up this stuff and drop it in the Cuisinart, in proportions to taste. Apples Fennel bulb & fronds Lime juice Dates Ginger powder Mustard powder It’s one option if you’re cooking for folks who want to cut out oil … Continue reading

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10/8/24: A Taste of Home

   “Why would you say a crazy thing like that to me?” My host flashed his lovely sweet smile.    “I’m sorry!” I apologized. “Nat King Cole –“    “I have no idea who that is.”    “Oh. Right.” My … Continue reading

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8/6/24: Crashing the Party

It’s National Night Out! On the first Tuesday in August, Americans have permission to turn off the telly and go step outside and see who lives on their street and wave at them. It’s a chance too, to stop and … Continue reading

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8/4/24: Sweets in Sharp Spaces

This beautifully tended local flower strip is nothing like the bushwhacking terrain described below. No berries are pictured in this story, lest some reader feel encouraged to go nibble on unfamiliar flora. After early Mass today I took the long … Continue reading

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