Took a walk in the woods near my home with Kaya, along a tributary that pours into the Potomac. It is surrounded by parkland, a hidden gem, a bit inland from the big river. Together we sat in the woods as the sun went down, on a hill overlooking the moving water. For me, there’s […]
Grateful for Wilderness Read More »
We had a Diwali celebration at our home last Friday. Ruchi poses here with her service dog and companion, Divya, during the festivities. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists worldwide to honor light’s triumph over darkness, good over evil, and to symbolize renewal, hope, and prosperity. Ruchi
Celebrate Good Times Read More »
The attached photo shows the ears of a seven-month-old Yorkie mix I just had the opportunity to spend a couple of days with. Those ears are HUGE! Also, there were four people whom I had not spent time face-to-face in about 45 years. This was a group of people that I spent a lot of
Fourteen years ago, we brought little 5-year-old Ruchi into our home all the way from New Delhi, India. Last night we celebrated her arrival as we do every year. Today, she is a sophomore in college studying environmental science. In the attached photo, she is surrounded by our two dogs, to whom she is mightily
14th Anniversary of Ruchi’s Arrival Read More »
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a powerful example of how shared rituals can strengthen communities and sustain cultural identity over centuries. Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (which is today, October 6, 2025, in the Gregorian calendar), this festival marks the moment when the moon is at its brightest, symbolizing wholeness and
Mooncakes at the Harvest Read More »
Pequod’s Chicago deep dish pizza is famous for its caramelized cheese crust—an edge that gives structure, resilience, and contrast to the rich layers inside. My work functions the same way. I design frameworks that hold bold ambitions, giving shape to diverse contributions so they work together and complement each other in mutually reinforcing ways. Of
Lessons from the Crust Read More »
A 1.5-mile-long creek is located very close to our home. It is called the Minnehaha Branch. Every day when I walk the dogs, we go alongside its banks for a good long block. We have seen many animals come up out of the creek while we have been walking, including foxes, coyotes, dee,r and more.
Sharing Space with the Wild Read More »
In this episode, I sit down with Joe Feldman, founder and CEO of Cover My Mental Health. His website, CoverMyMentalHealth.org, is filled with free resources—including helpful instructions and templates—designed to empower families and clinicians. Joe’s journey began when his child was denied essential mental health care—sparking a federal lawsuit and igniting his passion for advocacy.
Fighting Back: Joe Feldman on Covering Mental Health Care Read More »
In this episode, I talk with filmmaker and mental health advocate Max Blaska, whose short film Last Rung on the Ladder—an adaptation of a Stephen King story—became both a tribute to his late aunt and a lifeline in his own battle with anxiety and depression. Max shares how the project nearly fell apart amid a
Turning Pain Into Purpose with Filmmaker Max Blaska Read More »
Upon the streets of Washington, A hero’s tale has just begun. With fury high and hunger near, He hurled his sub without a fear. A salami missile, wrapped in haste, A symbol none could quite erase. It struck the vest, then tumbled down, Yet shook the powers of the crown. Bondi cried, The
Ode to Sandwich Guy Read More »
