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In this moment of the year, Pagans prepare to celebrate Samhain, a cultural antecedent to Halloween. Within this spiritual tradition as well as others, this is a time to connect with our ancestors and to reflect on the relationship between life and death. In this service of remembrance, we will…

Within a number of cultural traditions, this is a liminal time of the year in which the living and the dead draw nearer together, even commingling across the expanse of time. In the natural world, this interplay abounds in this season. A single flower bursts with color as if it…

The world is different today than it has ever been. Today is not yesterday when a newborn had yet to be born. Today is not yesterday when a newborn had yet to be born. Today is not Monday when a hospital in Gaza still stands. Today is not Rosh Hashanah…

After a month of commuting to Boston for my new job, this week I began exploring beyond my Back Bay office. Visiting the Boston Athenæum to inquire about membership was high on my list. Walking a block down Marlborough Street, I crossed over to the Boston Garden. Continuing on through…

Last weekend, I stayed at the urban campground on Winter Island in Salem, MA. Although parked on pavement, the view of the harbor and the proximity to Salem make it an appealing place. Over the years of visiting Salem, I have toured the Witch Museum, learned about the Salem Witch…

Is home something we "find" whole and complete or something we "make" through our actions? When I began to critically reflect on the idea of home, and of feeling at home, I found philosopher Judith Butler's idea of performativity relevant to this question. In the groundbreaking 1990 book Gender Trouble,…

More to come when I return from summer vacation.