A Sense of Place
Think about the difference between being from a place and being of a place.
Spaces
Returning
When people are scared and insecure, they tend to return to the comfortable, the familiar. Last week, the search term “bread” was trending on Google. Gardening centers have seen a 250 percent increase in the sale of seeds, compost and other gardening supplies. Downloads of digital books have increased by 30 percent, according to some
The World We Left Behind
They stand behind the glass, frozen in stunned silence. I turn away, embarrassed for them, for us, for the world we left behind. I have heard debate about what is considered “essential.” Nail salons? Gun stores? In-person church services? I shake my head, roll my eyes, at the world we left behind. Thousands of short-term
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An Offering
My biggest question over the last week has been, “How might I contribute at this time?” The term “CARE package” originated in 1945, when millions of Europeans were at risk of starvation in the aftermath of World War II. It has since become a generic term for humanitarian relief, or a small package of snacks
No Going Back
Standing on a threshold, I fight the temptation to go back. Back to where it’s comfortable. Back to familiarity. But the reality is this: there is no going back. Because “back” no longer exists. Things have shifted, changed, moved on. “Back” is different than it was. I am different than I was. “No man ever
Organizing is Not Enough
Organizing is a multi-million dollar industry. Dozens of blogs are dedicated to methods and tools for organizing your home. Pinterest and Instagram are filled with images of “worst case scenario” before photos paired with orderly collections of boxes and bins in pantries, garages, and closet. From Marie Kondo to The Container Store, it seems everyone
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A4
The Portuguese default paper size is called A4. It measures 210 × 297 millimeters or 8.27 × 11.69 inches. It’s barely different from the US standard, the so-called “letter size,” which is 216 mm x 279mm, or 8.5 x 11 inches. You only notice the difference when you try to place an A4 piece of paper into an American
The Push and Pull of the Season
I had a conversation with a friend the other day about the tension between the natural rhythm of the season and modern life. The darkness and coldness of winter draws us inward to the warmth of hearth and home. Meanwhile, the glittering lights, shopping mall sales and holiday parties beckon us outside. How to balance
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Giving Thanks
Traditional holidays tend to evoke a sense of nostalgia. You remember the loved ones who are no longer with you. You long for the familiar — friends, foods and traditions. You seek a sense of home and belonging. As we head into our first holiday season away from “home,” we find ourselves navigating questions of tradition,
Expats, Immigrants and Refugees
Over the last several years, we have seen a steady drumbeat of news stories documenting the mass human diaspora that is occurring around the globe. Over five million people have fled civil-war torn Syria, creating one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time. An estimated seven thousand-strong “caravan” is making its way north from
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