When we were all basically home bound during the worst of the pandemic, I started walking my neighborhood daily. I’ve continued the habit, even throughout Michigan winters, except when ice makes me fear for life and limb. One of the joys of neighborhood walks is discovering new little libraries, those small delights in which neighbors … Continue reading
My five-year-old friend is planning to be Jane Goodall for Halloween. She has her khaki pants and miniature binoculars ready. She even requested that I make a chimpanzee suit for her favorite doll, so the doll could come along as part of the costume. How could I refuse? Last year this same young girl, at … Continue reading
This weekend, while making small inroads into the clutter in our basement, I ran across something I’d thought was lost. It is a piece of acrylic, curved on one end and straight on the other, perhaps ten inches long. What is it? I believe it may be one of the earliest acrylic ice scrapers—at least … Continue reading
This fall, the faculty at the university from which I recently retired went on strike, largely over proposed changes in health care. The strike was settled quickly, but during that time, some former students came to me with a dilemma. They were responsible for writing the doctoral student newsletter. Typically, the newsletter contains a “Dear … Continue reading
I found a cricket in my bathroom this morning. He (or maybe she, who knows?) seemed perfectly content to watch me brush my teeth, but I knew that he wasn’t going to find what he needed in that environment. As far as I could tell, there was nothing for crickets to eat nearby, and moreover, … Continue reading
A recent headline in a Detroit paper read, “Change your outlook with the 100 Days Project.” Given how hard it can be to maintain a positive outlook while deluged with information from the news, social media, etc., I had to read on. The 100 Day Project, I learned, is a global art project that takes … Continue reading
It is classic creativity practice to consider ways to view your ideas from a new perspective or present them in new ways. It is one reason I’ve been delighted to read about science students who present core information through poetry or dance their dissertations. But I’ll admit, the first time I read about students baking … Continue reading
When I visit with friends, we often play board games. I particularly enjoy games that include creativity, lots of laughter, and not too much competition (since stress-as-recreation doesn’t feel like fun right now). So, I was curious to read about a game that promised creativity and fun, all centered around graphs. Graphs? Of course, my … Continue reading
I know that in other parts of the country, school is already in full swing, but here in Michigan we are enjoying the last few days of summer before the academic year starts in earnest. Teachers are preparing their rooms, buying way-too-many supplies out of their own pockets, and planning those vital early lessons. During … Continue reading
Like so many other people, I‘ve needed to get out of the house throughout the pandemic. And, again, like so many others, I’ve been walking. I walk around my neighborhood, with occasional excursions to local parks to meet friends or have a change of scenery. But mostly, I walk the same routes, and I need … Continue reading
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