Celebrating Births
December is a joyous month for Christians, and particularly for my family. My son David was born on the 18th; his twin …
Beethoven’s 251st
As the pandemic surged a year ago, there was scant celebration of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Trying to make up for …
The Skinny on Skin
The Frost Museum of Science in Miami currently features a fascinating exhibit, Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity. On the day after Thanksgiving, my …
Botany and Sweetgrass
Robin Wall Kimmerer is SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology and founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and …
My Cousin Jerry Raiza
My only first cousin, Rex Gerald (Jerry) Raiza, died on September 17, at the age of 83 after complications of aortic aneurysm …
Indigenous Wisdom
Eva Marie Carney, the mother of Elise Cohen, an outstanding piano student of mine, got me interested in Native American history many …
Art, Books & Movies
Five novels I have read over the last several decades have illuminated my understanding of famous artworks. The artists range from the …
Canopy Meg
What do you call a scientist who discovers a whole new continent above the earth’s forests? Whole tree enthusiast? True, but rather …
Memories of 9/11
To mark the 20th anniversary of the September 2001 terrorists’ attacks, I would like to share the memories of eight members of …
Dornoch’s Depths
What’s so special about Dornoch? What keeps us coming back year after year? Besides magnificent golf, cool weather, and gorgeous flowers, what …