By Jim Nichols The chorus concluded the last notes, and the director dropped her hands during the silence. Immediately, applause erupted from the audience. The conductor gave a thumbs-up to the chorus, smiled, and turned to the audience and bowed. She stepped to the side and waved her hand to the chorus as the audience continued applauding. Then, the conductor

By Jim Nichols Mystery, problem, enchantment, thin places. Author Joan Didion, when asked her discernment of a topic, replied, “I don’t know what I think about it until I write about it.” That response came to mind when a friend asked me what I thought about “mystery.” What is it? Is it different from a problem? What is a mystery

By Jim Nichols There are words that we commonly use that are in the “squishy” category. That is, we use them in such diverse ways that, I suspect, we might have difficulty in defining them. One such word or concept is “inspiration” or “inspired.” Whereas one might think this should be a word with religious connections, we often use it

By Jim Nichols It was constructed of blue metal with white trim, four wheels, colored wooden beads right at bite level, and a wooden “driving” handle.  One of my treasured snapshots from childhood shows me sitting in that era’s version of a baby stroller—a Taylor-Tot. I was about one year old. That was a popular early life purchase for new

By Jim Nichols There are eight items on the fireplace mantle. In the center is the ticking clock that is approximately accurate. The other seven items are photographs of grandchildren. One of those photos sits on top of the clock and will be there for the current week. The other six are to the left and right of the clock.

By Jim Nichols It was an argument on Facebook if you can imagine such a thing. Someone had posted these two words “Toxic Masculinity” and was wondering what people meant when they used them. It is not an uncommon phrase it seems.  Ah-Ha—that was the question. Is this a two-word phrase that should be read as one meaning? That is,

By Jim Nichols Saturday morning at the grocery store and there was nothing unusual about it; that may be the whole point of this observation. I had my list in hand and was searching for the items to put in my basket. I realize as a 2024 guy that I am supposed to put grocery lists on my phone and

By Jim Nichols When I was a boy and a movie or television story was obviously frightening me, my mother would consistently say, “Remember, it is just a movie or tv show.” That helped move me from such a deep involvement in the scary situation to a more objective one.  We have all learned that what we see on the

By Jim Nichols Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw—those words are meaningful to many readers. Even if you are not interested in or a fan of the Harry Potter genre, you probably have encountered those names. They are associated with the beginning of the school year at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and identify the House into which each student is placed for