Is the Tooth Fairy real? How about the garbage man? Those questions may seem trivial, but how young children answer them is an important indicator of cognitive development. Keep Santa comin’… 0

The Pulitzer Prize finalist author of “The Battle for Christmas” ponders what we think of as the traditional New England Christmas. 0

Christmas is upon us. To varying degrees I begin to take stock of the year past as the holidays help us welcome winter and the new year. Tonight I happen to turn the TV on to see “It’s a Wonderful Life” playing. Part of the charm and beauty of that film is in the simple  Read more »

Ever think a stodgy old insurance company could be honored for its “bestie” use of YouTube? Well, it happened. Before I tell you what a bestie is, I have a story to share… 0

For time immemorial or so it seems, UMass Amherst (nee UMass) has struggled with its alumni outreach. I think a lot of that has to do with a long-standing patriarchical view the campus and its inhabitants have toward Beacon Hill. We want Boston to pay for everything. And for a while, that formula had worked.  Read more »

Today was a good day to think about things we should reflect upon at least once in a while. I did so while slinging pies and cakes and turkeys. It’s a funny day, Thanksgiving. It’s my first without Dad. Well, that’s not entirely true. I hadn’t shared Thanksgiving with him in a few years. No  Read more »

It was fun to learn today that U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., is proposing a $3,500 tax deduction for “qualified pet care expenses.”  This legislation (H.R. 3501), titled the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years Act (aka HAPPY Act). 0

The New York Times this week took a very interesting tack in discussing this age-old question. My immediate thoughts went to my father, who is living with cancer, and is fortunate enough to have good health insurance. Recently my mother showed me four years’ worth of monthly itemized bills from the hospitals Dad’s been to  Read more »

South Hadley is a quiet place. A great place to call home. So this morning the local NPR affiliate caught my ear with town news. Cool, I thought. When does sleepy South Hadley gets its moment to shine? Listen up, Keith. WFCR has a regular feature called “Field Notes.” It’s a great segment featuring locals  Read more »

Yeah… I’m getting my shit together. Cut me some slack. 0