We’ve got a problem. For over a year now, requests have been made to our Select Board to find out what exactly is happening with a business that really ought to be up and running by now. Normally, the “government” keeps its nose out of the goings-on of private businesses. However, an exception is made […]

Read more "To the People of My Hometown"

Dear Erica, When I was in law school, we learned about two types of wrongdoing. There is the type where someone is accused of violating a criminal law, and the matter is adjudicated in criminal court. All criminal matters are prosecuted by the state and begin with an arraignment or an indictment. To be convicted […]

Read more "An Open Letter to Erica Podgorni"

Dear Anthony, I would like to offer my condolences. I’m the sort of person who always says “I’m very sorry for your loss” as soon as I learn of a death, or in your case, two recent deaths. How I wish I’d done this last night during the Select Board meeting, but I was so […]

Read more "An Open Letter to Anthony Ansaldi"

Dear Christine, Why is Littleton Apothecary not open? The town entered into an HCA with Littleton Apothecary in May 2020. The state gave the Apothecary its provisional license in November 2020. The Planning Board detailed what you’d need to do to open in September 2021. You have been given all the permission you needed to […]

Read more "An Open Letter to Christine Nordhaus"

We have a strong cultural identity as Americans to each has the intrinsic ability to be our own best advocates. If something is a challenge, it is to be conquered. If adversity rears its head, it’s only a matter of self-determination to persevere. When life knocks you down, you just pull yourself up by your […]

Read more "Boots with Straps Long Enough to Strangle Frauds"

In my kitchen, right above the oven, I have these words on a plaque: Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. Everyday, at least once, I read Eleanor Roosevelt’s words and assess, based on what my mind is discussing (usually with itself), the quality of my thoughts. Six years ago, […]

Read more "What Discussion Does Your Mind Have?"

The reality of a life absent of any real struggle is that you can get good at many things with little effort. The critically dangerous side effect of an easy, privileged life is that you might presume, based on your stellar track record, that you’ll be naturally good at everything because life has always shined […]

Read more "To the People of My Hometown: Here We Go Again . . ."

I was ten when I encountered my first public penis. The early 80s found an innovative use for nylon: “running shorts,” a sportswear essential with cutting-edge fabric technology. The early 80s also found me, sitting with my classmates in a half-circle on our 5th-grade classroom floor with my teacher—a marathoner in training—proudly sporting a pair. […]

Read more "A 300-Word Postcard from Lara Jenson’s Childhood"

Twenty-two years ago when my fiancé and I wrote our wedding vows, we agreed to incorporate particular words and phrases. Of course, “love” and “respect” were there, but I felt it important to include “extraordinary life.” That word, “extraordinary,” is something of an oxymoron, in that, the meaning is understood as “exceptional” and/or “special,” not […]

Read more "The Perilous Comforts of Being Average"

She looks nice. Smart, reasonable, experienced. What is not clear by just looking at her is the immense power she holds. Last week on the day before my birthday, I called a car-care shop to schedule a full detailing of my car. Normally, this is something I’d do myself and manage to do with some […]

Read more "Warning: Do Not Cross 50-year-old Women"