For her documentary about Armistead Maupin, Jennifer Kroot needed to interview someone who could tell tales about the birth of “Tales of the City.” Read more.
Barbara’s Riffs on Life
Huston Smith Dies at 97: A Mentor to Me . . . and Millions
Huston Smith doesn’t know it, but he’s been my mentor for the past decade and a half – ever since I took a job as religion reporter at a local newspaper. Read more.
Something Old — Ten Ideas, Old and New, From a Mother of the Bride
As a mother of the bride whose past reaches deep into the 20th century, I’ve got lots of ideas for my daughter’s wedding day “something old.” Read more.
“Bamboo Secrets” — A Love Story in the Shadow of Japan
Fifteen Patriotic Holiday Gifts for the Worried Progressives on Your List
I’m giving patriotic holiday gifts this year — donations to groups that can help keep our country sane during the stormy Trump years ahead. Read more.
Christmas Is Big. Bigger Than Christianity — And Donald Trump
Christmas is big. Christianity’s biggest holiday is leaving the religion in the dust with 15 times the Internet mentions of Christianity. Read more.