When asked why he believed in God, Richard Rodriguez, author of Darling: A Spiritual Autobiography, answered the question with a story about Mother Teresa. Read more.
Barbara’s Riffs on Life
Dale Chihuly’s Glass: Fine Art? Kitsch? Or Both?
I can’t make up my mind about Dale Chihuly. He’s a glassblower, which makes him a craftsman. But is he also an artist? He’s prolific and his work is popular; does that mean he’s pandering to a mass audience? Is his work fine art—or shameless kitsch? Read more.
Religion in Public Affairs — Americans Think Religious Influence Is Waning
A report on religion in public affairs from the Pew Research Center says religion is losing influence in American life. It also found that 50 percent of Americans finds homosexulity sinful — and 52 percent support same-sex marriage. Read more.
Journalists Killed in the Line of Duty: Foley, Sotloff Joined by Dozens Each Year
James Foley and Steven Sotloff are just two of the 50 journalists killed world-wide in the line of duty so far this year. Read more.
A Footwear Meditation–Chic Feet and Stylish Legs on the Go at SFO
A parade of fashionable traveling feet transformed itself into a meditation on the passage of time as I waited for a flight out of SFO last month. Read more.
Tudor Bungalows in the Twin Cities—Little Houses With a Big Sense of Humor
Can a house have a sense of humor? I never gave it thought until I visited Minneapolis and was treated to street after street of droll Tudor bungalows. Read more.