“I am sick of looking on the bright side!” Thus spoke one of my daughters after being admonished to do just that in the wake of some childhood disappointment. Now all of us are too exhausted by the pandemic’s legacy of loss and anxiety to search for the bright side or even to believe it exists. […]

In July 1951, our family moved to Maine from New York. Even though not quite 6 years old, I would never actually be a true Mainer, according to those fortunate enough to be born here. Living in Buckfield, Maine, was quite a shock. Going to a one-room schoolhouse with attached outhouses took some getting used […]

Amid an urge to hang on to a dream,  I spill out into the night saying, “How great!” She says, “I’m sleeping.” It’s warm and soft and dark under the covers, but off I go. I limp downstairs in the dark to a cold thermostat, and up it goes from the 50s. Temperature wasn’t 55 quite, […]