furthernewsfromtheshire

The House of Identical Lamps

Once upon a time there was a woman named Kay. She lived in a house with her husband, Eric. Kay liked to tap dance and play the ukulele. One evening, she sat thoughtfully in her living room, looking at the furnishings. A few years back, a hotel near their Manchester, New Hampshire, office had closedContinueContinue reading “The House of Identical Lamps”

Gluten Sensitivity

In some of my earlier posts on subjects such as ivermectin and fluoride, I talked about ways that reasonably intelligent non-scientists can evaluate research. I think being able to do this is important for several reasons. Science denial and willful ignorance seem to be all around us these days, and while the right and MAGAContinueContinue reading “Gluten Sensitivity”

Live Free or Die? Prohibition in New Hampshire

You may be aware that the state motto of New Hampshire is “Live Free or Die.” I once heard a comedian comment on this: “There’s a state that has had way too much coffee.” But you have to admire the sentiment; it’s right up there with “Give me liberty or give me death” and “It’sContinueContinue reading “Live Free or Die? Prohibition in New Hampshire”

Adventures in Fermentation: The Wonders of Kveik Yeast

I’ve mentioned in other posts my ongoing interest in brewing and fermentation. It started early, mostly as a byproduct of my desire to get hammered, but then it became what I would call a compelling interest. This reminds me of a quote from Freud in “Civilization and Its Discontents.” “Life, as we find it, isContinueContinue reading “Adventures in Fermentation: The Wonders of Kveik Yeast”

Magic and the Brain

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it, but I am a magician. Not a Gandalf-style wizard, although that would be cool. I mean the “now you see it, now you don’t” sleight-of-hand kind of magician. I’m reasonably good, not quite professional grade, but skilled enough to be entertaining. I can vanish and reproduce coins andContinueContinue reading “Magic and the Brain”

L Was a Personal Friend of Mine: Autism and Savant Skills

So, it was 1978, and I had managed to get accepted to Yeshiva University’s doctoral program in school psychology. Good news, right? But as my father once told me, you try and try to make the team, and then you have to come off the bench and play the game. At that point in myContinueContinue reading “L Was a Personal Friend of Mine: Autism and Savant Skills”

Reflections on Medical Ethics and Health Policy, or “Man, My Head Really Hurts!”

I was overdue for my dermatology appointment, so I set one up and went on in. By way of background, before I went bald and most of my hair turned white, I was a real redhead. You know the type. Green eyes, really pale skin, the kind that turns lobster red after a minute orContinueContinue reading “Reflections on Medical Ethics and Health Policy, or “Man, My Head Really Hurts!””

A Gorilla Walks into a Bar: A Meditation on Humor

A Gorilla Walks into a Bar Back around 1982, Kay and I had gotten together as a couple and were living in a studio in Westbeth, the furthest extreme of the West Village. I was still in grad school and needed a side gig to bring in some money. I had worked as a cookContinueContinue reading “A Gorilla Walks into a Bar: A Meditation on Humor”

Things That Annoy Me

I’ll admit it, I am an irritable man. Always have been; little things annoy me. I can be quite patient in certain contexts, with children, people with disabilities, that kind of thing. But at other times, I feel like I am going to jump out of my skin. Maybe I inherited it from my parents,ContinueContinue reading “Things That Annoy Me”

There And Back Again

Its about 11:40 AM on Friday the 18th of September, and Kay and I are in the air on our way to NY JFK and thence to Boston. That’s 18 days of travel; I’m not sure we have ever taken this much time off since we’ve been married. Now it’s time for a little reflection;ContinueContinue reading “There And Back Again”