First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Hint of Spring

My brother lives in New England, and for decades, we’ve had a weather rivalry. He sends me photos of the thermometer in his backyard when it goes below zero. I email him screen shots from my weather app when it’s 80 degrees in January. But he got his revenge. During these last few weeks of February, it has occasionally been warmer in Boston than Los Angeles. Today I noticed the succulent on my patio is beginning to flower. I’m ready for spring.

Peonies by Ieva Baklane

Oscars, the Day After

Photo by Mel Melcon

End of Week Zen

1977 New Yorker cartoon by James Stevenson, who died today at 87. Read a sweet tribute here.

The Perfect Snack

I didn’t grow up in a family of snackers, so I never got into the habit. What I did inherit (culinarily speaking) from my Dad was the ability to make a meal out of rye bread and chocolate layer cake. When I’m in the mood for something in between meals, I reach for nuts, in particular cashews or pistachios. What’s your idea of a perfect snack?

Photo by Emily Blincoe

Knowing When to Walk Away

Super Antics by Kerry Callen

What’s Your Favorite Superpower?

George Saunders, one of our great writers, has been making the rounds on a book tour for his new novel, Lincoln in the Bardo. I’m a huge Saunders fan, not just because his writing is so special. I’m also moved by his generous heart. In a recent interview, he talked about radical tenderness and empathy as a super power. I really love the idea. I need to work on that.

Socks by Marc Johns

Founder’s Wisdom

“It is better to be alone than in bad company.” — George Washington

Happy Presidents Day!

Power Outage

With the massive rains in L.A., our building lost power (and hot water) for 20 hours. The electricity just went back on. I moaned and groaned about the inconvenience, imagining all the home-cooked containers of food going bad in my freezer. Trying to keep my cell phone charged was a real chore. But at the same time, it made me realize how much we take electricity and hot water for granted. Tonight, they will be part of my gratitude list.

Illustration by Ben Wiseman

Old School Habits

Sending birthday cards through the U.S. mail, reading the print version of the NY Times, going to see movies at the movie theater. And you?

33 mph by Michael Dimontier and Neil Farber

What Are You Happy Not to Want?

Dare I say this. I never had a burning desire to be a mom.

Royal Wedding Poem by Robert Montgomery