I can still remember how impressed I was with my father's academic friends. Whatever I said to them, they always had an answer. I'd point to a ship in my book, and they'd tell me about the Bremen, the Lusitania, and the United States . . . all the great passenger liners. I'd talk about elephants and they answered with stories of Africa, Asia, Hannibal's warriors and the Indian Maharajahs. Read More

Thanks to modern technology, I now have one more way to seem rude while actually paying incredibly close attention. I made this discovery when my friend Jan invited me to the annual meeting of the Connecticut River Watershed Council. Come on, she said, It will be interesting. I'm feeling more social these days so I decided to go . . Read More

In medieval times, people managed by decree and threat. The King made a proclamation, and said, "Fear this, and tremblingly obey!" You ignored the King and his nobles at your peril, as most anything could be a capital offense. Stealing a loaf of bread, or murdering your neighbor - either could send you to the gallows. Read More

Just this morning I was reading a post on Autism's Gadfly, and it made me think about the tremendously different wants and needs of people at various points on the autism spectrum.

His motto is, We don't want no stinkin neurodiversity! Read More