Chimps, Champs, and Cherry Log

Chimps, Champs, and Cherry Log

I find myself incapable of going places for very long and not finding things to experience, to ponder, and usually to write about. I encourage my students to think theologically as they go through life, and for me it has become second nature, even on vacation. Wanting...
The Pool That Wasn’t

The Pool That Wasn’t

It came as a pleasant surprise to hear a knock at the door and see two friends and former neighbors who had stopped by just to chat. They live in America but have roots in East Jerusalem. They have trouble enough visiting family there as it is, so I’ll call them Samir...
What the Nose Knows

What the Nose Knows

Our sense of smell is a powerful thing, keen enough to save us from a smoky fire, attract us to an inviting meal, or even transport us to another time and place. The scent of baby powder can leave parents awash in memories of cuddles and giggles – and diaper changes,...
Avoid Exclamation Points! Or Not?

Avoid Exclamation Points! Or Not?

Want to start an argument with a group of grammarians? Just bring up the subject of exclamation points, and the verbal sparring will begin. SOCK!! WHAM!! POW!! Grammar purists and most writers argue for self-restraint. Mark Twain, in an 1895 essay on writing funny...