Category Archives: Rural

Reconnecting with my Jewishness, one knish at a time

So now when I visit New York, I make a point of living out that childhood fantasy. Sometimes we make it as far south as Pickle Guys, in the lower East Side, or wait in line for Russ and Daughters, and sometimes it’s just a quick stop into a bagel place, like today. But it’s satisfying in a way that few other things are.

Overcoming fear behind the wheel of an ambulance

The driving session was the following morning. I learned how to turn on the master switch, and then hauled myself up into the driver’s seat. I adjusted it as far forward as it could go, although even then my feet barely reached the pedals. My crew chief sat in the passenger seat, calmly explaining how to move from park to drive to reverse as I suppressed a nervous giggle.

Happy Passover from the Frozen Chosen!

As always, reading from the Union Haggadahs passed down to me from my parents, via my maternal grandfather, I felt the connection not just to my family, but to my Ashkenazi ancestors and the whole Jewish faith and culture. I felt that connection radiate out through my friends and neighbors on North Haven, my adopted home.

Asking “What can I let go of?” in spring

Hello from North Haven! Despite early March’s best efforts, spring seems to be in progress! The mud is deepening, the robins are flocking, and pussywillows glisten by the side of the road. With spring comes spring cleaning. When the weather truly warms up, I’ll be packing away Penrose’s snow things in hopes they’ll still fit […]