Austen will Destroy You

When I first was required to read Jane Austen, I thought, “Uh-oh. Chick lit.” I was surprised and pleased to find that my preconceptions were not only ill-founded, but absurdly off-base. I have nothing but admiration for her deadly wit and humor, and now...

May Day

I dawdled this morning. I was “working” at home (grading papers), so there was no rush to bike to work. Despite the cool spring I wrote of a few weeks ago, the air and soil have warmed up quite nicely now. I had closed up my cold frame last night because...

A Nod to Home Births

Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a new policy statement that, in part, called on members to “provide supportive, informed counsel to women considering home birth.” That might not seem like a particularly bold position. But to Kristen...