Constants

In the middle of winter, someone crashed into one of the low brick walls that mark the entrance to the neighborhood. Significant damage was done, but nobody seemed to know anything about the accident. For a few months, I suspected that a snowplow had hit the wall, but the county office couldn’t confirm my conjecture. … Continue reading Constants →

Kids’ Stuff

Let’s review a few rules many of us used to learn. Most of these are in the tradition of my parents and fellow Pennsylvanians. I’m concerned that the instant gratification and solipsism of our time might have already taken their toll on what was once considered common knowledge. I also worry about what might happen … Continue reading Kids’ Stuff →

Greatness

Some say the USA is a “great” country. To be fair, millions of people consider their countries great as well. Some want to make America great “again.” I’m not sure they can define what greatness means, beyond “my country first” or “the way things used to be.” Some in high places seem to believe they … Continue reading Greatness →

Exile

When I taught a freshman course called, “Justice and the Good Society,” I used an equilateral triangle to describe the relationship between church, state, and individuals. My point was that historically speaking, whenever there was not a healthy tension between the three, society suffered. When two of these conspired, the third was in trouble. For … Continue reading Exile →

Affirmations

The only time I missed a performance in college was when I contracted mononucleosis. My spleen was the size of a football and because of the risk of a rupture, I was confined to the infirmary for a week. I brought all my textbooks and a Bible. I thought the time alone might provide an … Continue reading Affirmations →

Easter Thoughts

I’ve heard people described as “products” of some school or program, as if graduates are manufactured on an assembly line, uniform in appearance and quality. I recall a faculty meeting years ago when we were discussing how to make sure our students received a consistent educational experience. I commented that I believed uniformity was “neither … Continue reading Easter Thoughts →

Civility

30 years ago, we took a trip to Scotland. One of the beautiful things about Scotland, apart from the scenery, was the civility of the drivers there. For example, on the Isle of Skye, there are many “single-track” roads, with turnouts placed at intervals so drivers can let each other pass. I quickly learned whoever … Continue reading Civility →

Pull Together

Recently we watched “The Boys in the Boat,” a film about the 1936 Olympic rowing crew from the University of Washington. While there were many timeless lessons in the story, it seems to me the best was the idea that to win, the team had to learn to row as one. “Every man for himself” … Continue reading Pull Together →