Love, Time, Environment
As my daughter Annie's tenth birthday approached, our friend Erik asked her what special gift she was hoping for. Without hesitation, Annie responded, "A crane." We all turned and looked…
When was the Last Time You Asked “Why”?
Many moons ago, my husband, Bret, and I were running through a list of errands when we noticed that several of them intersected, prompting one of us to suggest, "Let's…
Room #14 Is Not a Magical Place
I have just returned from a week of complete seduction and surrender in La Ville-Lumière-Paris. Ah, Paris: flowing wine, warm and crusty bread, jaw-dropping architecture, subtle yet sophisticated fashions, beguiling…
Is Knowledge Enough To Inspire Action?
In my last newsletter, I discussed "plain language"-- clear, simple writing that people can actually understand and use. I closed with the following statement: "Plain language alone is not enough…
Do You Know How To Make It Plain?
Over the past week, I've been working (via an ongoing email exchange with my colleague Sandy) on a description in exactly 15 words (no more, no fewer) of the services…
The One Trait All Successful Data Analysts Must Possess
When people inquire about my career path, the words that most frequently tumble off my tongue are "unusual" and "fueled by curiosity." Here's what I mean. My undergraduate degree is…
Mass Gatherings Medicine
In case you haven't heard, the Red Sox won the World Series last week. Yes, my beloved team that "Reversed the Curse" in 2004 defied the odds yet again, going…
Improving the Odds — Are You a Donor?
I have been following the case of Sarah Murnaghan, a dying 10-year-old girl who, after a federal judge granted her family's emergency petition, has become eligible to seek donor lungs…
A Profoundly Moving Data Display
This past Memorial Day I was greatly moved by news stories about the courage and sacrifice of so many in service to our country. It was also a quiet time…
Peace, Love, Joy and Personas
We keep this great stack of cards in the dining room: it's called "TableTopics: Questions to Start Really Great Conversations." Questions range from "would you prefer to spend money for…