In E.B. White’s classic little volume Here is New York, he writes, “New York is the concentrate of art and commerce and sport and religion and entertainment and finance, bringing to a single compact area the gladiator, the evangelist, the promoter, the actor, the trader and the merchant.” As any first-time visitor about their plans for a trip to New …
I’ve been surprised that despite my resistance, there have been some little points of light to our “Shelter in Place” order here in New York. I’m not ready to take the Gwyneth Paltrow line about how social isolation is a good time to learn a new language or skill, like knitting. However, I have been pleased about some good things …
“Memories” on Facebook are funny things. They can remind us of simple, sweet moments, grand occasions, or even bitter losses. Today, my “memories” featured a picture of the fabulous Cathedral in Reykjavik, Iceland. The Hallgrimskirkja Church is the most iconic urban landmark in this truly extraordinary country. I visited Iceland one Easter a number of years ago. I miss being …
One of the reasons I became a Celebrant is because my family of origin didn’t spend much time marking occasions, happy or sad. I’ve mentioned many times that we struggled with illness and my own father’s departure when we were wee tots. So, there were practical and emotional reasons that not much was made of the holidays. My grandmother did …
These are difficult days, with the Covid-19 pandemic in bloom, but I wanted to share one personal anecdote about staying close in the time of this virus. A friend of mine is in a “vulnerable demographic” here in New York—older and with a pre-existing pulmonary condition. He made the hard decision to cease seeing his son and his family (including …
One thing that I appreciate about certain traditions, like those of the Native American Indians, is how they look to the ancestors for strength and guidance during life’s difficult circumstances. As they say, we all stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. I’ve been drawn to this idea as we face the historic Covid-19 pandemic. I was …
Although I’ve never considered myself a New Yorker, I must admit that this Coronavirus outbreak has made me re-think my status. In a time like no other, my physical well-being is inextricably tied to the millions of people with whom I share the island of Manhattan. Although I’ve lived through a couple of major adisruptions—the attacks of September 11 and the …
I think for a good many of us living in New York, the current Corona Virus pandemic and accompanying economic downturn has echoes of past traumas including the 9-11 attacks and the Great Recession, a decade ago. With my celebrancy work schedule still fairly light in the winter months, I have considered trying to take a short getaway to try …
I’ve been a City gal for a long time, but I live by the expression, “You can take the girl out of Oklahoma, but you can’t take the Oklahoma out of the girl.” In my most optimistic orientation, I’d like to think I combine the generosity of spirit of folks from the Sooner State with the worldly approach of New …
It was not until I was divorced that I realized the healing properties of travel. Coming up in Oklahoma, I had travelled very little during my youth and young adulthood. It seems that many folks in that part of the world don’t place a high priority on international travel, and with my family circumstances so fragile, vacations were simply not …