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The Human Condition

The Philosophy of Hannah Arendt

I remember receiving two presents for my 11th birthday. One was permission to treat my straight lanky hair to a curling iron….

• Philosophy
• June 23, 2016
• 3 Comments

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Sailing the Seven Seas

There are two categories of Dutch movies: one kind is populated with a lot of nasty Nazis and the other is swarming with patriotic colonialists sailing…

• Dutch Naval History
• June 22, 2016
• 3 Comments

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Ahead of her Time

Netflix carries a movie How to make an American quilt that was scripted after a novel by Portland author Whitney Otto.  One of…

• Art
• June 21, 2016
• 1 Comments

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Confessions of a Netflix Streamer

I admit I watch a lot of Netflix. Mostly thrillers and mysteries. I tell myself it is to keep my languages up,…

• Movies, Psychology
• June 20, 2016
• 3 Comments

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Of Roses and Lilies

Johannes Brahms lullaby (Wiegenlied) in the original German version speaks of roses and carnations covering the baby’s crib. For some reason the…

• Classical Music
• June 19, 2016
• 2 Comments

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Urban Green Spaces

There are historic gardens, botanical gardens, productive gardens, gardens of the rich and famous, sculpture gardens, contemporary gardens – and then there…

• Garden Design
• June 18, 2016
• 2 Comments

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Linnaeus’ Desire

Tulips Galore

A few years back I worked on a montage series called Linnaeus’ Desire. You can see some samples on my other website…

• Biology, Economics
• June 17, 2016
• 1 Comments

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Parks and Poppies

How politics shape our environments

Don’t you love it when a book review leaves no doubt about what to read? For example, Andrea Wulf writes, “Here is…

• Nature, Politics
• June 16, 2016
• 4 Comments

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Ballet in Bloom

Ballets have long been associated with flowery music, movements, pink tutus and impersonations of flowers. I picked three today, for our viewing pleasure;…

• Ballet
• June 15, 2016
• 2 Comments

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Chasing (away) the Blues

Master Gardeners

I have known a few passionate gardeners both here and in Europe, but only two of them really closely. My observations, then,…

• Nature
• June 14, 2016
• 3 Comments