Orcas and Life after Menopause

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Orca grandmothers lead pods, as matriarchs of their family units.  Science has discovered that only  some whale species, and humans, have a long life post fertility. Many other large mammals –primates, elephants—may be fertile into old age.  I wonder how … Read More

My Santaland Diary

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The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris is my favorite holiday chestnut.  I grew up listening to an LP of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol my parents played on Christmas Eve, and that was wonderful during a certain age of innocence, but … Read More

Santa Lucia Day, December 13

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In dark December the eldest Swedish daughterDresses in white, lights the candles,Glides from room to room with coffee,Cardamom buns, the lilting songAn old tradition from an old countryCandles lighting dark.But the story, reduced to pink-cheeked girls,Breakfast in darkened rooms, Does … Read More

Watching the sun set

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It was a clear, warm November day, so I headed to the Oregon coast on a spur-of-the moment jaunt.  I have to remind myself, periodically, that the Pacific Ocean is only two hours away.  I wanted to watch the sun … Read More