The bare dirt spot in my garden is taking up more real estate in my brain than world hunger, homelessness and disruption. Read more.
Barbara’s Riffs on Life
I Finally Got to Go Shopping. Here’s How That Worked Out. Sheltering at Home Week 19
After months of sheltering at home, I got in my car to do some actual brick-and-mortar shopping. A favorite retailer had other plans for me. Read more.
I’ve Got a Pile of Antique Bricks in My Backyard. And They’re Headed for the Dump. Sheltering at Home Week 18
The antique bricks in our garden staircase are pavers. They were made for the streets of San Francisco 100 years ago. Too bad the staircase is falling apart. Read more.
I’m Worried About the Hagia Sophia: A Push to Make It a Mosque Again
Turkey’s Erdogan wants to dismantle his country’s secular traditions. I’m worried about the Hagia Sophia — will he turn it back into a mosque? Read more.
This Summer I’d Like to Travel to the Ends of — My Back Yard. Sheltering at Home Week 16
With COVID-19 cases spiking, it seems riskier than ever to travel. My back yard beckons — but our rickety garden stairs pose risks of their own. Read more.
Our New Digs — A Room-by-Room Video. Sheltering at Home. Week 16
We took out that kitchen wall. We weren’t sure we’d like all that openness. Check out this room-by-room video and decide for yourself. Read more.