Village Green/Town²

A brief story. I saw a documentary about Little People some years back. (Dwarfism, achondroplasia).  One gentleman featured in the film described an experience where someone of typical height visited his home. Naturally, many of the features in his residence had been retrofitted to accommodate his height. Including in the bathroom. When the visitor emerged from “using the facilities” he remarked, with some irritation, “There’s something wrong with your toilet!” That response has stayed with me for a long time. I am normal, thinks the man. I am of normal height. This toilet doesn’t accommodate me. There is something wrong with this toilet. This mindset prevails in too many areas of our lives and it is not only demeaning and limiting (think education and the workplace) but it can also be dangerous. If humans come in a variety of manifestations, acknowledging that and acting on that should be the goal. Sorting out the “normal” from everyone else and then planning only for that “normal...

Yesterday, on International Trans Day of Visibility, County Executive Calvin Ball released this statement: Howard County is a community where all people, can live openly and authentically, no matter their gender identity. That's why on Trans Day of Visibility; we stand with the transgender and non-binary individuals in Howard County and beyond. We raise awareness and we recognize the discrimination that many still face. Howard County sees you, and we will always be here to advocate for you. I responded: Thank you. The value of community depends upon acceptance and respect. A no-name troll came back at me with this: Unless you happen to be a heterosexual white male, then you're SOL.  ***** "Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us."   - - from a passage in the Wisdom of Sirach (44:1) Image from Cured/18th and 21st social media* “Let us now praise famous men” because Women’s History Month is over and we have the rest of the year to fill up. “Let us n...

  How do you see yourself? Glass half full or half empty? Are you inclined to see life through rose colored glasses or do you have more of the Eeyore gloomy outlook? Are you trying to maintain a sense of clear-eyed truth in pursuit of current reality while somehow maintaining some hope? Hmm… I’ve been thinking about this as I’ve discovered a genre of YouTube videos that look like the following: All of This Is Gone: The Dark Story Behind Maryland’s Beloved Fairy Tale Park: Enchanted Forest Dark. Dark Story, Dark Truth, Dark Revelations, Dark History… It’s a vibe, as the young folks say. The word dark must be one of those things that make people click. Sell that video. Get more eyeballs on it. Draw people in… …to the darkness. There aren’t necessarily any deep, dark revelations in these videos. I haven’t done any in depth study on them so this is purely anecdotal, of course. But I suspect you could take any local subject you want and make it dark.  The dark story of Azlon I. (Fi...

Spring is apparently going to do its thing and I am contemplating buying masks specifically for warding off pollen. Does anyone know where I can find this shade of green? The alternative is staying inside until the first frost. (Masking outside makes me feel ridiculous but it sure beats steroids.) Speaking of Spring, there are plenty of good reasons for wanting to be outside. The 2026 season over at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods begins in April. Take a look at what’s coming up. Possibly my favorite outdoor-oriented local post is this one from Clark’s Elioak Farm. . ISO: Volunteers at the farm. We're looking for kids 12 years (or older) or adults to come out on the weekends. Volunteers are stationed in our Bunny Barn, holding rabbits and Chicks for our visitors to pet and learn about. Morning shift of 10 AM to 1:30 PM or an afternoon shift of 1 PM to 4:30 PM. Please message for more details. Serious inquiries only please. We're looking to create a consistent schedule- now ...

  What can you do in two minutes? It’s not a new game show nor is it an idle question.  Howard High Schools to start 2 minutes earlier, beginning in May , Kiersten Hacker, Baltimore Sun A two-hour delay on March 3 and a three-hour early dismissal on March 16, when the state experienced tornado threats, caused a four-hour deficit for the Howard County Public School System. To make up the hours, June 8 will be a full school day for all students, and high school students will start their days at 7:48 a.m. instead of 7:50 a.m., beginning May 4. The conflict between the spirit and the letter of the law is right out in front here. It says a lot about state requirements that this kind of a solution is considered to be reasonable. Who will be responsible for those extra two minutes of high school instruction? Teachers, of course. I sure hope they are ready to make those minutes meaningful. A Google search didn’t turn up many classroom-oriented suggestions. But maybe some of these wil...

It’s a classic cartoon set-up. “I like your _________.” “Thanks, it _________.” Part of a four-panel comic by @lumpyquinn What makes these so fun is an unexpected response. For example: Comic by @jimshoenbill We may somehow be willing to accept dogs standing upright, in suits, holding wine glasses. Still, the second dog’s comeback makes us giggle. Why? Could it be because it transgresses polite cocktail party conversation? Maybe. What do you think? I once heard a story about the very young child of college professors who occasionally made the rounds of department wine and cheese events with her parents. She observed the way that adults talked at these gatherings. Maybe they talked about things they liked, the weather, health, or issues of mutual concern. Drawing on her personal knowledge, she approached a small group of academics and asked, “Are you ever bothered by diaper rash?” I can’t tell you how many times I have wished I could use that opener at an awkward cocktail party or polit...