I Dance in Libraries with a Snake — I am happy, a dancer, and a mom. I perform in schools, libraries and at cultural events as Hadama Seshat. American Cabaret style belly dancers choose a stage name that reflects their aesthetic or higher calling. When I joined The Crescent Dancers in 2002, I needed a name. My screen…

There aren’t easy answers but I have my own ideas about where to start — I know I’m not the only person finding it hard to write today. So much grief. And anger. Writing helps me make sense of the world, so I’m going to try. Imagine a beehive buzzing with productivity. Nurse bees care for the babies. Attendants groom and feed the queen. Worker…

Beauty and arts do a heart good — I seriously love flowers. My dad grew roses, tulips, daffodils and so much more- how lucky I was to grow up with flowers! I loved to pull apart the poppies and see the seeds and milky liquid inside. The smell of hyacinths still makes me feel high. My dance troupe…

Elizabeth Sohier was my kind of woman — “‘Look at that hat,’ whispered Miss Campbell, with her Scotch chuckle. ‘Look at that hat! Nobody but a Boston Brahmin could possibly wear a hat like that!’ The hat had another function besides being looked at. …

I wish I could ask her what her life was like — In the little sewing box in the vault at old town hall, among scraps of fabric, leather needle case and thimble, is a photo of a sad-looking girl wearing a plaid dress. Who was this girl and what became of her? A letter in the box from Laura Berry to…

The good news, Chloe is safe and Penny is still speaking to me — At first I thought Penny was joking when she said “Karen, your snake is getting out.” She pointed toward the beer closet we were using as a dressing room and shuddered. I went straight over and sure enough, the little dickens was peeking inquisitively out of her basket as though…

Photoshoots and editorial meetings are fun when we are in charge — Jane and I met on the Bridge of Flowers last weekend for a photoshoot in preparation for the launch of our new publication Karen and Jane’s 100 Words for 100 Days Challenge. It was early evening and most of the tourists were gone. The river danced and sparkled, flowing slowly…

History is in the eye of the beholder — From “The Spear Family” by Mrs. Clifton Baker: “In 1842, one summer day, Brother Elisha Spear was killed by lightning (this was on Pine Street, North Amherst). This was one of the instrumentalities God used in effecting a revival of religion. Deep solemnity overspread the community. The people at once…

Don’t get me started because you’ll never get me to stop-oops, too late! — The very existence of libraries affords the best evidence that we may yet have hope for the future of man. T.S.Eliot I am crazy for libraries. I love libraries with marble steps, giant portraits of founders, stone pillars, a fountain, carved mahogany circulation desks, and bathrooms with flush toilets. I…