Simplicity

There is a kind of simplicity that is undesirable: It’s the simple minded demand that all situations, no matter how complex they ar, be addressed with simple explanations and solutions.  “Don’t bother me with the facts,” such a person says.  “I don’t care about the details; they only confuse me.”  The lack of insight and

UNCLE FRED

When I was growing up, we had a neighbor, known to us children as, “Uncle Fred.”  He wasn’t related in the usual ways – marriage or biology; however, he was truly our “uncle” relationally. It was a given that Uncle Fred would spend holidays with us; he never had to wonder about that.  One of

SIMPLE THINGS

Years ago, when I was taking a course in spiritual growth and development, we learned about a practice called “Focused caring.”  It works like this: What major issue(s) really tug at your heart?  Is it world hunger?  The environment?  Workers’ rights?  The list is long. Once you have identified the concern that will get your

MY NEIGHBORHOOD

My neighborhood is an exceptional place.  IT is in the midst of transformation from the usual sort of private, non-communicative collection of households to a street full of friends. We have had a couple of gatherings so far.  One was a tea for the women; the other was a potluck for everyone.  Our next get-together