First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Here’s to Peace and Healing in Boston

Shadow Over Boston by Eric Drooker

What It Takes to Make Change

For the last 4 years, I’ve been involved in the campaign for immigration reform. On Monday, I was in D.C. meeting with Senator Dianne Feinstein, who will play an instrumental role as any legislation moves through Congress. For the first time in a generation, there is real hope for change. But we stand at this moment, only because immigrants who aspired to become Americans never gave up. After each heartbreaking defeat, they organized harder. Yesterday was a dispiriting day for gun safety advocates. And I deeply share their frustration. But meaningful change, whether political or personal, takes audacity and perseverance. Don’t just get mad. Get busy.

Poster from the flat files 

What Are You Reading?

During the last 48 hours, I crisscrossed the country and finally got the chance to catch up on back issues of The New Yorker. As far as a magic ring, I wear my mother’s wedding band.

Flying Back from D.C.

More tomorrow.

Traveling Mermaid by Franco Mattacchio

Pay Day

It’s tax day, and I’m ready to honor my commitment.

As promised, here’s the winning entry for our contest, What’s Your Splurge?   Continue reading »

How Many Shoes Can You Fit Into Your Carry-on?

On a plane ride to Italy for a ten-day vacation, the chic woman sitting beside me altered my packing habits. She had only a modest carry-on for her month abroad, while I was about to wait 45 minutes in the Rome Airport for overstuffed luggage. That was three years ago, and I’ve rarely checked a bag since then. But the biggest challenge is always the shoes, which I contemplate now getting ready for a micro trip to D.C. What are your packing habits?

Giant Gym Shoes by Claes Olderburg is part of a show at MoMA.

Cause and Effect?

I’m not sure why I was so late to the party, but last month, I finally started digging into Downton Abbey. I binged through 3 seasons in a few weeks and couldn’t stop talking about it to everyone who’d already seen it. I was also terrified of finding out the plot, and tiptoed around the internet, which was near impossible for me to do, as I’m such a media hound. Miraculously, I managed to get through the final episode without any spoilers. I’m grateful to friends who showed such restraint. And I’ll try and pay it forward, so as not to cause any unseasonably bad weather.

Cartoon by Sarah Lazarovic

Moving the Dream Forward

What did you do this week to force the issue?

Last chance to win a copy of the best book you’ll read this year.

Artwork by Shahir Zag

I Can Do That!

I’m watchin’ Sis
Go pitterpat.
Said,
“I can do that,
I can do that.”

Knew ev’ry step
Right off the bat.
Said,
“I can do that,
I can do that.”

One morning Sis won’t go to dance class
I grabbed her shoes and tights and all,
But my foot’s too small,
So,
I stuff her shoes
With extra socks,
Run seven blocks
In nothin’ flat.

Hell,
I can do that,
I can do that.

I got to class
And had it made,
And so I stayed
The rest of my life.
All thanks to Sis
(Now married and fat),

I can do this.
That I can do!
I can do that.

Photo: 1975. Michael Bennett holding auditions for A Chorus Line

Springtime

Last night, hustling my dog through the last walk before bedtime, I was stopped by the sweet scent of jasmine. I blissfully sauntered back and forth a few times, before moving on to the mundane business at hand. Breathing in this first scent of spring made me feel hopeful.

Contest deadline is Thursday.

Exploding hydrangea by Fong Qi Wei