Why the proposal to make Canada the 51st State is only moderately funnyAs something of a low-profile Canadian-American, let me just break my silence and weigh in on that recent “Canada should be a 51st state”…Jan 31Jan 31
Why Americans are Over the Moon for UnderdogsLike most Americans I am easily inebriated by underdog stories. Give me a few swigs of an unlikely hero story and I’m flushed beyond…Apr 4, 2024Apr 4, 2024
How Artificial Intelligence is plotting our Eventual StupidityCall me old-fashioned, but up until recently “AI” meant nothing more to me than the sound you make at the end of the day when you lay on…Feb 1, 2024Feb 1, 2024
How to Reinvigorate Unpopular Family Holiday TraditionsThis Christmas will mark the 18th year that I have been forcing my kids to make homemade gifts for each other. It has been a source of…Dec 23, 2023Dec 23, 2023
To Tree or Not to TreeI have a complicated relationship with trees. To me, a big, old, wind-toppled maple tree is both a heartbreaking sight as well as a…Nov 10, 2023Nov 10, 2023
Welcome to Vermont: Home of the Garden Zealot!If there is a role columnists take very seriously it is that of a social watchdog — sounding alarms when troubling trends arrive. In light…Jun 7, 2023Jun 7, 2023
Why it’s Hard to be Happy about Finland’s “Happiness Streak”Finland has just been awarded “Happiest Country in the World” for its sixth straight year and while I’m sure they are all marvelously…May 8, 2023May 8, 2023
In Defense of SentimentalismI recently saw a movie called “A Man Called Otto”. It was a shamelessly sentimental film with a predictable storyline, and it reduced me to…Mar 23, 2023Mar 23, 2023
How Frozen Pipes Helped Build My Character While Destroying My BasementIn Vermont it’s advisable to hold your tongue about cold winters until you’ve weathered at least a few good pipe freezings.Feb 8, 2023Feb 8, 2023