Category Archives: Politics/Government/Current Events

Photo Friday: Homemade Bagels

With the pandemic having shut down so much of society outside our homes, many of us are spending some of our newfound free time in the kitchen. Generally, I am not what anyone would call domestic, but I do like to bake. In fact, I frequently bake bread. But for years, I’ve wanted to attemptContinue reading “Photo Friday: Homemade Bagels”

Update to the End of High School

I posted yesterday about the Virginia governor’s announcement that schools are closed through the end of the school year. And today, it was no surprise that the high-school principal confirmed in an email to parents what I’d already assumed: that my son and other seniors will not have a graduation ceremony or prom. I’m sureContinue reading “Update to the End of High School”

And Just Like That, High School Is Over

The governor of Virginia announced today that state K-12 schools are closed for the rest of the school year. I don’t fault him for making the decision. Our schools were already closed through the end of spring break in mid-April, but anyone who thinks this global coronavirus pandemic will be over by then is, well,Continue reading “And Just Like That, High School Is Over”

Update From the Land of Social Distancing

It’s the end of the first week of The End of Life as We Know It, as we all try to adjust to our new, Coronavirus-induced reality. Everything is weird and tense and depressing, but you already know that. Virginia does not yet have a statewide order to close businesses, but many have closed anyway;Continue reading “Update From the Land of Social Distancing”

St Patrick’s Day

The legend says that Saint Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. For Saint Patrick’s Day this year, can we get him to drive away the coronavirus? Seriously, the world needs a whole lot of luck right now. Good public health policy would help even more, and so far, that’s in short supply here inContinue reading “St Patrick’s Day”

Apocalypse Now?

In the photo, it looks like such a little thing, even kind of pretty. But the novel coronavirus makes me feel more and more like we’re on the brink of Armageddon, with its exponential spread and its growing impact on every aspect of life. And the other shoe just dropped: Alexandria City Public Schools announcedContinue reading “Apocalypse Now?”

Coronavirus Craziness

For the last week, stores have been mostly out hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes, and rubbing alcohol. And I’ve been hearing from friends around the country that store shelves are also empty of toilet paper, tissue, paper towels, and basic food staples. It’s not that bad here. You can still find tissues and toilet paper easilyContinue reading “Coronavirus Craziness”

Photo Friday: Yes, We Did

Virginia is one of the Super Tuesday states, with the Democratic presidential primary coming up in a few days. That should give me hope that we can sweep away the cruel and corrupt administration that is distorting everything this country is supposed to stand for. But recent campaign events — including the fiasco of aContinue reading “Photo Friday: Yes, We Did”