Dec 29, 2025
Let’s sink into seasonal slumber with two essays by famed American naturalists. In the first, John Muir takes us to Tahoe in the winter, where he delights in its glacial-born beauties and his friend skis poorly. In the second, Thoreau regales us with tales of mischievous...
Dec 22, 2025
Let’s shop for sleep with more selections from this Christmas gift catalog from the years of World War II. This time, pretty yet practical cards, tree decorations and miraculous electric lights that stay lit, luggage, toys, ties, and the gift of every girl’s dreams . . ....
Dec 15, 2025
Let’s set sail for warm winter nights with a new (well, “new”) travel book. In this first reading, thoughts on speaking the language, the best travel guides, the importance of strong luggage and a corkscrew, and how overpacking and Italian water are best avoided....
Dec 8, 2025
Let’s return to the sands of sleep with this absolutely, totally true, not at all exaggerated account of Egypt. This time, a ramble connecting Greek gods to Egypt, a fabled labyrinth and lake all lost to time, and the tale of twelve kings accidentally undone by a hat. How...
Dec 1, 2025
Let’s fall asleep to more about the masters of relaxation, cats. This time, the unfairly maligned black, the beautiful blue, black-and-white versus white-and-black, the treasured Siamese, and the mystery of tailless cats. Also, an admonition to read cat show rules and a rumination...