Blog
"Life is a curious mix of fantasy, experienceand interpretation."

In Lieu of Travel, a Tour of Trader Joe’s French Cheese
After ten months of pandemic living, foraging for French cheese unlocks memories of past trips and fuels hopes of future ones.
Pruning Books the Pandemic Makes Passé
Subjects that once held our attention seem hopelessly out-of-date or absurdly irrelevant.
In Luang Prabang Without Tourists, a Visionary Regroups
Laos has stayed safe from Covid-19 by closing its doors to tourists. Here’s how one company that’s dependent on their business is coping.
Pandemic Pursuit: A Yearbook Lost and Found
Covid-19 confinements have renewed interest in links with the past. Enter a decades-old record of what now seems like an easier time.
Pandemic Drunken Noodles Take Edge Off Sobering News
Perfecting our recipe for a favorite Thai street food became a welcome distraction during the Covid-19 crisis.
Mail-Ordered French Balms Take the Sting Off Travel Limits
Travelers from the U.S. can’t enter France right now, but they can still shop at a French parapharmacie.
A Garden of Hope Grows in Brooklyn
Grounded by the pandemic, an avid traveler tries to replicate the experience of living in France.
My First Plane Trip Amid the Coronavirus
An avid traveler develops fear of flying — with good reason.
How One Couple Makes Harmony in the Time of Covid
While some feel paralyzed by the pandemic, others are spurred to creativity.
How to Get Your Stimulus Payment More Quickly (In Theory)
A new IRS app lets you track stimulus payments and request direct deposit. I took it for a test drive.
DIY Face Masks Divert Friends from Covid-19 Horrors
As word circulated that cloth face coverings can slow the spread of the coronavirus, my weekend turned into a virtual sewing bee.
How to Lead a Paperless Financial Life
From stimulus payments to monthly bills, Covid-19 stay-at-home guidelines are one more reason to bank online. A guide to maximizing the conveniences and minimizing the risks.