Empty pegs: a gymnast’s story — The walls of old New England homes are stuffed. Pictures memorialize family and generations gone before. Paintings show places traveled. Pegs near doors hold the hats, scarves, and jackets that protect us from the outside world. Some pegs hold things that are heavy: coats dripping from winter’s blast or bags…

A History of Misery Not Always Shared — The Misery History Show allows every individual and group to explain how THEY are underappreciated, overabused, and deserving of special accommodation. The producers of the show want everyone to know a critical thing: You are right. You have been taken advantage of. Go ahead and be unhappy. Today’s episode begins…

The world of economic inequality is its own stranger thing — Over the last few days I’ve participated in a conversation about making the American economic system work better for more Americans. It’s been a good talk. A lot of folks have joined in, and the discussion has remained civil. Out in the real world, the discussions have continued to be…

Is anything? — I spent the past weekend with my teenage daughter at a soccer tournament. Over two days, the kids play matches for 210 minutes…for 280 minutes if they are very good and lucky…and 350 minutes if they are very, very good. …

Are we always surprised by the end? — Five weeks ago Mom called to say she was dying. Within days. Three weeks later she was thrilled to explain that things were not quite so dire. The pain was less, her diagnosis incorrect. A week after that the call was from an emergency room physician. Despite flying to her…

The XX Mind, in particular — This morning I planned on writing a quick piece sharing a few insights from Dr. Lisa Mosconi’s valuable book, The XX Brain. Years ago, this title would have been “The Woman’s Brain.” Today it makes sense for it to be labeled “XX.” We can legitimately debate about sexual and gender…