What draws me to author Annie Dillard — what makes me want to turn off the TV and grab one of her books — is her eagle-sharp eye for the world as it truly is. Read more.
DON'T MISS!
I've written hundreds and hundreds of posts over the years. To help you find your way to the best of the best, I've tagged my favorites "Don't Miss!" Scroll down here to find them.
Another way to locate Riffs on Life that you might enjoy is to click above on your favorite category – "My Ever-Changing Family," perhaps, or "Funny Button." You can also use the search box located way up top to hunt for stories by topic. There's fun reading at "garden," "aging," "kids" and, of course, "Jon."
Bouquets to Art 2017 — Seduced by Those Quirky, Charming Boxed Bouquets
I spent a glorious day at the Bouquets to Art 2017 exhibition in San Francisco, where several stunning boxed floral arrangements stole the show. Read more.
How Three World War II POWs Saved Each Other’s Lives
When World War II POWs returned home, many couldn’t talk about the brutality they’d seen. Decades later one finally tells his story to the world. Read more.
John Donne — A Love Affair With a Poet Long Dead
My college notes on the 17th-century poet John Donne were cautious and circumspect. My feelings fairly burst with yearning, spiritual and erotic. Read more.
No to Bride Barbie — Yes to a Real-Life Wedding
My 7-year-old wanted nothing to do with her Bride Barbie doll. But twenty-five years later, she’s ready to be a bride for real. Read more.
A Lost Child in Wartime Detroit — A Headscarf Story
I couldn’t see the point of my mother’s skimpy yellow babushka — until the day I found myself a lost child in a cavernous Detroit department store. Read more.
Regulations: Will Trump’s Slash and Trash Deregulation Put Americans at Risk?
Do we really want to dispense with government regulations that prevent disasters — like the Ghost Ship warehouse fire that killed 36? Read more.