Tag Archives: consumerism

We Don’t Need Books to Free. We Need Them to be Brilliant.

Posted on January 1, 2013 by

When I’m meeting people for the first time, some of them want to confess: “Bless me, Librarian, for I have sinned. It has been four years since I last read a book.” People tell me this sheepishly (and quite unbidden. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Libraries, Criticism, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

What We Got for $140,000

Posted on June 15, 2012 by

Tomorrow, my daughter graduates 8th grade, bringing an end to her twelve years of Waldorf education. She’s been a student at Green Meadow Waldorf School since she was three years old, longer than she can remember. To her, Waldorf school … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Motherhood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 32 Comments

Common Ground in the Culture Wars

Posted on June 2, 2012 by

Because we’re addicted to silly arguments and trumped up controversies, and because the most sophisticated move we seem able to make as a culture is forcing every issue into two, and no more than two, warring camps, lately we’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Criticism, Motherhood | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

God Bless You. Or Not.

Posted on December 15, 2011 by

Safe home! Life is dangerous. Our travels can be hazardous in bad weather. We get sick and injured. We get our hearts broken. We get tides of bad luck when everything goes wrong. We do not have a nice weekend. … Continue reading →

Posted in Criticism, Volta | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

You Can Spread It with a Paper Knife!

Posted on September 30, 2011 by

Remember this commercial?  No?  Well, 1977 really was a long time ago, I suppose.  This 36-second drama presents a man in a suit explaining to a housewife that Pillsbury Frosting Supreme is so creamy that “you can spread it with … Continue reading →

Posted in Volta | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Happy Organized Home Sale or How The Container Store Endangers Your Immortal Soul

Posted on July 1, 2011 by

Believe me when I say that I had no choice but to go The Container Store yesterday.  My daughter’s jewelry-making supplies scattered all over her floor made walking from the door to her bed hazardous, and I had shopped everywhere … Continue reading →

Posted in Volta | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments