Professor Carol
Today, Dec. 5, on the third day of Advent. We’ll consider a tradition that occurs tomorrow (Dec. 6th)—the commemoration of an historical figure who is actually an old friend to most of us. Shoes and socks are important items. In Jesus’s world, the sandal reigned … Read more
This coming Sunday marks the beginning of Advent. Despite what the numbers on the commercial Advent calendars say, the duration of Advent is not always 24 days. It changes from year to year. Last year in 2016, Advent stretched its longest: 28 days. In fact, … Read more
The beloved season of Thanksgiving is on the horizon. Ordinarily I try to pen an essay with some artistic, pedagogic, or seasonal value. But occasionally a topic gets under my skin, and I can’t make it go away. So it goes with this week’s post. … Read more
While most households are starting to focus on turkey and pumpkin pie, we are putting the finishing touches on the 2017 Advent Calendar. This daily calendar of arts and culture began as a simple idea 7 years ago and continues to grow each Advent season. … Read more
Would you fly from Kentucky to Krakow just to see this painting? I know two folks who did. People have all kinds of reasons for touring Eastern Europe, including family heritage or a passion for World War II history. But this couple journeyed 17 days … Read more
“When I get home comma I will double-check and call you back period.” Clearly my fondness for corresponding via voice-activation on my iPhone has gone too far. Countless hours of dictating texts while racing through the grocery store have given me an unfortunate habit of … Read more
Spring inspires the poet, but autumn offers the painter his most glorious banquet! Or, so it seems to me. Oh, I do love fall. They say that one’s birth-season becomes the dearest season. Born in late September, I think that may account for my feelings. … Read more
Recent conversations with a close friend have set my thoughts directly on this question: what obstacles keep people from appreciating the arts? The first bugaboo, of course, is the verb appreciate. To me, it’s an obstacle in and of itself. When combined with words like … Read more
I’ve always liked the Greek preposition syn. Meaning “together” (altered to sym before certain consonants), these three letters struck me decades ago when I first realized that symphony meant “sounding together.” The next coolest application (for me) came with the term synaesthesia while in college. … Read more
