The challenge is to come up with one word that describes the place in question better than it describes any other place. “Quirky” fits Portland, but plenty of places are […]

Natasha had the San Francisco Symphony play Beethoven for her picnic in Stern Grove. Now, that’s the way to celebrate a birthday. Of course, most of the thousands of people who […]

UA1605, Seat 22A (for those who are amused by inconsequential significance). Westbound this morning, reluctantly. Carly’s doing much better, but her partner’s return flight got canceled, so she’ll be spending […]

Arwyn is taking a break from coding up Minecraft machines to play “Extreme Patty Cake” with a friend who’s stopped by. As contender for the smartest and most adorable 10 […]

Twelfth floor of the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Denver is the infusion room. Large, comfortable floral print chairs recline back against enormous windows that look west, across downtown and out […]

Yeah, you noticed: I haven’t been writing, have I? I’ve been keenly aware of it. Not a conscious decision or anything – just hasn’t happened. Kind of like when you’re […]

Ah, the unpredictable companions of air travel. The harried mother of the toddler two rows back, who appears to communicate her constant need for attention in ear-piercing screeches (the toddler, […]

It’s Celtic Night at Passim’s, downstairs in the basement on a back street off Harvard Square. I’m nursing my mint tea in a corner while the dozen odd fiddles, mandolins […]

Sorry – too much in medias res, not enough ab ovo. But I’m an impressionist, you know that – I have to start in the moment. Filling in the details […]

 So, we’re around the breakfast table this morning and Michelle announces “Hey – it’s Free Comic Book Day today!” What? “Free Comic Book Day. You go to any comic book […]