L. R. Trovillion

But seriously, no dog walks for us today.

Today the air quality here in the Mid Atlantic is Code Red, meaning it is so poor that those with compromised health should stay indoors with windows shut. The Maryland Department of Health issued a Code Purple (I’ve never seen this one) for most of Maryland. This comes after a 3-day heat dome, trapping extremely hot temperatures at ground level both day and night.

It feels like the apocalypse.

I’m sure my dog,...

The Ancient Myth That Makes Today's America Feel Uncomfortably Familiar

Happy Friday! Happy Independence Day (tomorrow)!

On the day before our country’s 250th birthday, the temperature here is about 102-degrees F. And humid. Imagine someone soaked a heavy woolen blanket in warm water and threw it over you. There is very little movement in the air and what little there is brings no relief. No, it is more like a giant dog panting on your face without respite.

It doesn’t seem too long ago that I...

HAPPY FRIDAY! HAPPY JUNETEENTH!

I thought long and hard about whether I had any authority to write anything about Juneteenth. I am not of African-American descent.

But then I thought, “so what?” This is a celebration of triumph over institutional slavery, over degradation of human dignity, and repression. It is a celebration of freedom won against incredible odds.

We all need to celebrate human dignity and freedom. Especially lately.

Then I thought (especially having just seen the musical...