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Beware the Ides of March
Today is the the Ides of March, observed on March 15. Its origins are in the ancient Roman calendar, and it has become one of the most famous dates in the history of the world. Though originally a routine marker of time in the Roman civic and religious calendar, the day became immortalized because of…
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A round of a’paws
Dogs are among the most socially connected animals we interact with on a daily basis. Their behavior reflects the deep bond they form with us, particularly when it comes to moments of separation. Yesterday, in the midst of a game of Rummikub during our “Games with Chuck” activity in which I finally beat Betsy at…
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This is a raid!
When I wore a younger man’s clothes, Martin, Paul, and I were the three musketeers; we had all been Franciscans and Catholic seminarians studying for the priesthood, but after college found ourselves an unlikely posse. Martin was a high school principal – black and overweight, Paul was in federal law enforcement – quite muscular and…
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The Killing of Georgie
Life and culture are full of milestones by which we measure progress, and nowhere is this more obvious than the LGBTQ+ community. I was 3 years-old when the Stonewall Riots kicked off the modern push for gay rights and I have had a front row seat for many of the “firsts” in that movement. I…
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Are we justified?
As we’ve established, this month’s name – March – comes from Martius, the first month of the earliest Roman calendar, named after Mars, the Roman god of war, and an ancestor of the Roman people through his sons Romulus and Remus. His month Martius was the beginning of the season for warfare; ironic, yes, given…
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March
March is the only month that feels like it’s arguing with itself. One day it is inspired by Mars – bold, blustery, and ready for battle. The next day it remembers it’s technically almost spring and shows up with sunshine and birds chirping like they’re auditioning for a woodland musical. You wake up, see golden…
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What you say and how you say it matters
Language shapes perception. The words we choose do more than describe reality – they construct it. When speaking about disabled people, language can either reinforce stigma and exclusion or foster dignity, accuracy, and respect. Sensitivity in language usage is not about policing speech for its own sake; it is not an unthinking, cynical, and rote…
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Why February Has Only 28 Days
At its simplest, most basic level, a calendar is a way to organize time. Now, we could take that statement and go “deep,” having a philosophical discussion of the concept of time itself. However, after last night’s cavalcade of mirth and misinformation known as the State of the Union, my inclination this morning is to…
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Where does the name “California” come from?
Have you ever found yourself wondering where the name “California” for the United States’ 31st state came from? State names like Virginia, which was named for Queen Elizabeth I of England, known as the “Virgin Queen,” or Florida which was named by the explorer Ponce de León in 1513 during the Easter season, known in…
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Poodle Lent
Poodle Lent is my adaptation of the traditional Christian season of Lent, reframed for people who are not religious but still value intentional periods of reflection, discipline, and renewal. While its structure mirrors the roughly 40-day observance practiced in many Christian traditions, especially the Catholic Church, Poodle Lent removes the theological framework and focuses instead…
Your mileage may vary.