On the good ship tequila

When I turned 65, a mere few years ago, I spent my birthday with good friends at a day-long Zen meditation retreat in the Marin Headlands. It was glorious, peaceful, fulfilling, su... Read More

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How to face the new year with optimism? Wreathe it with hope.

By Evalyn Baron

The problem with having to write a column to deadline weeks in advance of publishing is that if I choose a topical subject to do with current events, so much is happening in the wo... Read More

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It’s going to be a holly jolly doggie day

By Evalyn Baron

I’ve become that lady. The one who sits on her front steps, waiting for people to walk by, so I can charmingly plead … or beg … to pet their companion pups. Yes, I’ve becom... Read More

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How to be thankful in today’s world (or no matter how wretched the turkey, try to enjoy the meal)

By Evalyn Baron

I just can’t help it: I must pursue this line of reasoning: If the fowl royal of Thanksgiving — the ruler of the feasting table — is the turkey (which I always thought should... Read More

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Volunteering: Helping my future self

By Evalyn Baron

Peter and I have lived in San Francisco for seven years now, and it’s time for a summation, a look back. You might say I have a seven–year “itch” to explain the shape of th... Read More

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Broadway: Under the Stars and under my skin

By Evalyn Baron

I simply cannot help it: Take certain people out to the ballgame, buy them some peanuts and Crackerjack, and they’re happy as can be. But take me out under the stars to see a gro... Read More

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Waltzing through time: A body inventory

By Evalyn Baron

After The Ball — a popular waltz written in 1891 by Charles K. Harris — tells the story of a gentleman who sees his beloved kissing another man at a festive party, whereupon he... Read More

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Home is where the art is

By Evalyn Baron

“Art for sale! Art for sale! “yelled a child’s strident voice, over the calm of our street. Initially reacting like the general curmudgeon that I am when it comes... Read More

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In a land far too close there is a king named Harumph

By Evalyn Baron

He has a peculiar orange face and a lumpish, doughy body he tries to contain within costly suits of broadcloth and grey sharkskin, dark blue blazers, and crisp white shirts. His ac... Read More

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My ‘knees-érables’ in recovery: Who knew?

By Evalyn Baron

For Christmas this past year, my darling husband gave me a fancy-schmantzy Fitbit! Little did I know how much the little noodge of a wrist thingy would figure in my recovery from k... Read More

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Changing the world by magic: If only we could

By Evalyn Baron

When I told my Marina Times editor I was producing the March column by magic with a wave of my newly acquired wand, she probably thought me crazier than usual, but I am here to tel... Read More

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Hug a tree for Valentine’s Day

By Evalyn Baron

Overheard at Big Basin National Redwood Forest: A little boy complained to his doting grandparents that his picnic sandwich bread still had its crusts. The wise grandmother counter... Read More

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Dogs: The agony and the ecstasy

Is loving worth it?

By Evalyn Baron

The house is so much quieter now. Neater. And much cleaner. No click-click-clicks of tiny hard nails on the shiny wood floor; no soft whimpers or whines saying, “Pick me up, ... Read More

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Cattle in the dishware department: Dread, possibility, and joy

By Evalyn Baron

As I write this December column, we have voted — or at least half the country has — to change the way our nation does business, and the bull is no longer merely visiting the... Read More

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The lost, the found, the replaced: A Thanksgiving rumination

By Evalyn Baron

It seems unbelievable our country will soon elect a new president. After an endless, exhausting, perturbing campaign — one that has stretched our patience to the limit and distur... Read More

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