Two learned Harvard professors open this provocative challenge to many of our conventional beliefs with a brief sentence: "We feel dread ..." Their worry – that “democracy” as we have known it may be seriously threatened: “Democracies may die at the hands not of generals but of elected leaders ... who subvert the very process that brought them to power.” They cite Hitler, … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? ‘How Democracies Die’ by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
Columnists
Letter From Paris: Thoughts on Life Under Lockdown in Fontainebleau, How France Has Coped With COVID-19
There have been many deadly pandemics in the history of the planet but this is the first time ever that one has affected so many people. COVID-19 forced half the world population - or more than three billion - into confinement. I guess this is the price one has to pay for living in a globalized world. Each country handled the coronavirus crisis in a different way. How did … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Thoughts on Life Under Lockdown in Fontainebleau, How France Has Coped With COVID-19
Gardening With ‘The English Lady’: Tips for the Merry Month of May
“The darling buds of May” is such an apt phrase for one of the most enchanting months, bloom on bulbs and trees and the fresh foliage on trees winking in the sun. By now, you have probably removed most of the winter debris, pruned broken branches and re-edged borders. Do not however, apply that spring layer of composted manure as the soil needs to warm up to 60 degrees for … [Read more...] about Gardening With ‘The English Lady’: Tips for the Merry Month of May
A New Columnist Joins LymeLine! Welcome Maureen Haseley-Jones, ‘The English Lady,’ with Her Gardening Tips
OLD LYME -- We are delighted to announce that Maureen Haseley-Jones, known professionally as, 'The English Lady,' has joined the swelling ranks of LymeLine columnists. Maureen will be contributing a monthly gardening column with tips for that specific month of the year, We may divide the column into two on some months depending on its length. Her first column will be published … [Read more...] about A New Columnist Joins LymeLine! Welcome Maureen Haseley-Jones, ‘The English Lady,’ with Her Gardening Tips
A la Carte: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake is Perfect for Parties!
I remember the first time I went to the Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center in New York City. I had taken the train into the city, grabbed a cab and arrived at 10 in the morning. It is the biggest food convention in America and I thought I could see everything in one day. By early afternoon I was bushed and my feet hurt. It was lunch time and I picked up a sandwich On my … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake is Perfect for Parties!
A View from My Porch: Great Leaders and Great Speeches, Part 1: Washington’s Farewell through Theodore Roosevelt
Part 1: Washington’s Farewell through Theodore Roosevelt I enjoy reading historic speeches. I often find them to be inspiring; and they can fill gaps in my understanding of an important event or period in history. In this essay, I begin my review of these speeches, and provide some context for the events that precipitated their creation. These essays will not be an … [Read more...] about A View from My Porch: Great Leaders and Great Speeches, Part 1: Washington’s Farewell through Theodore Roosevelt
A la Carte: May Means Meatballs … and Sausages and Gravy!
It is May and May usually means lots of sunshine and warm evenings. It is my favorite season of all, because trees are budding out, tulips are bright and gorgeous, lilies and irises are two weeks away as are lilies of the valley, mu birth flower. I am grateful that the people who sold me my condo, whom I knew from the yacht club, were gardeners. The best I can do is add a few … [Read more...] about A la Carte: May Means Meatballs … and Sausages and Gravy!
Legal News You Can Use: Work, Disability and SSD in the Age of COVID-19
From New London to Los Angeles and beyond, the world has shut down to contain and fight the COVID-19 virus. The global lockdown has upended life for billions who now find themselves isolated in their homes. While the isolation of self-quarantine and the anxiety of worrying about the illness that could lead to death is an alien experience for most people, it is for … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: Work, Disability and SSD in the Age of COVID-19
Talking Transportation: Flattening the Commuting Curve
In the post-COVID-19 world (whenever that may be) commuters will be asking themselves one question: Is this trip really necessary? Sure, when the quarantining is lifted and the life-threatening virus seems to have passed (at least until it returns next fall), we may look forward to getting back on the train and on the crowded highways. But the weeks of not commuting have … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Flattening the Commuting Curve
Talking Transportation: Airlines Hit COVID Turbulence
I’ve always been fascinated by the airline business. Even though I’m not a great flyer, the whole idea of moving hundreds of people from point A to point B in a metal tube has astounded me. I even remember the good old days of “Youth Standby” flights in the 1960’s when we could get a 50 percent fare discount just by helping fill empty seats. But until recently the planes … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: Airlines Hit COVID Turbulence
A la Carte: Peek in the Pantry, You Likely Have all the Ingredients for Tasty Trail Mix Cookies!
Okay, as I write this, I am home for the sixth week. Each day seems a little easier. I like my condo. I love my cat (although I miss my Elderlee, who died in December). I eat when I want to, which seems to be more likely twice a day. I wake up and feed the cat around 7:30, watch MSNBC for an hour (why is it that I seem to like Mika and Joe more than I used to?) Then I … [Read more...] about A la Carte: Peek in the Pantry, You Likely Have all the Ingredients for Tasty Trail Mix Cookies!
Reading Uncertainly? “The Cockroach” by Ian McEwan
Cockroaches have successfully inhabited this earth for more than 300 million years and are like to continue to do so for millions more, so long as it exists. But what about their working relationship with Homo sapiens, we relative newcomers? Ian McEwan, one of my favorite authors, suggests in this political satire that they may well take matters into their own hands (six each) … [Read more...] about Reading Uncertainly? “The Cockroach” by Ian McEwan
Legal News You Can Use: I Filed For Workers’ Comp: Can I Get Fired?
If you suffer an injury on the job in Connecticut, the law protects you when you file a workers’ compensation claim. However, some employers may try to find ways around these anti-discriminatory laws. Your employer is not going to tell you they are terminating you because you filed a workers’ compensation claim. Most employers know it is illegal. Instead, an … [Read more...] about Legal News You Can Use: I Filed For Workers’ Comp: Can I Get Fired?
Senior Moments: Thoughts (all Positive) on Turning 91
Editor's Note: I first met John Guy LaPlante when we both worked at the now sadly departed 'Main Street News.' I was a beat reporter covering Westbrook and he was busy writing columns about his most recent adventure, which happened to have been going round the world! We went our separate ways after the newspaper closed but stayed in touch. He followed up that first amazing … [Read more...] about Senior Moments: Thoughts (all Positive) on Turning 91
Talking Transportation: What is Connecticut’s Transportation Future Post-COVID?
When it comes to transportation, Joe McGee is often the smartest guy in the room. If I want a vision of our state’s mobility future, he’s the first man I turn to. McGee served as then Gov. Lowell Weicker’s Commissioner of Economic Development. For years I worked with him on the Connecticut Metro-North Rail Commuter Council. And until recently he was the Fairfield Business … [Read more...] about Talking Transportation: What is Connecticut’s Transportation Future Post-COVID?