Monthly Archives: August 2011

Nostalgia (the Word)

In the beginning, “nostalgia” was a medical diagnosis. My dictionary indicates the word was coined in 1668 by one Johannes Hofer. He built it from two Greek roots: nostos = homecoming and algia = pain, grief, distress (Greek study, by … Continue reading

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Nostalgia

Charles once conjectured that I’m the only person he knows who had a happy enough childhood that I can afford to remember how unhappy it was. As often as we walked when we were young, one would have thought us … Continue reading

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TSA

I had to pass through security at SFO on July 14. I was a little concerned about the two water pistols I was packing – sure they were bright plastic, obvious, empty, and bearing their “for ages 4+” labels, but … Continue reading

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