A week ago I gave a talk about my dissertation to a wonderfully supportive group of colleagues at the University of Virginia, and I launched what I’m now calling an open dissertation—a blog, at culturemodding.com, with updates on the project (the whole dissertation is called Culture Modding: How We Play With Our Food, Money, and [...]

Yesterday morning, seemingly out of nowhere, rain began drumming on the magic cottage and the light began to shift. Just back from traveling, I looked in the mirror and thought about what I wanted to happen before the end of the day: And then I walked out front, started my car for the first time [...]

Yesterday morning, I went to the Charlottesville farmers’ market and almost bought beautiful figs. It was too difficult to choose between the tomatoes that stretched out in breathtaking rows at Waterpenny Farms and Radical Roots. I reluctantly left this place of thoughtful people and food, and drove to the District, where I came upon a [...]

After a storm, suspended rain drops reveal hidden webs on plants, dot the insides of flowers. On my way to the University of Virginia this morning, I paused at a small outgrowth that held up a canopy of interlaced threads, much like I was about to do for a small audience of colleagues in the [...]

I usually visit farmers’ markets alone—partly because I like to wander dreamily, mostly because I fairly run once it’s within sight, unable to contain my childlike excitement to see what treasures the market vendors have brought that day. Approaching the Ferry Building yesterday morning, I caught my breath at dusky plums, deliberated between glowing dried [...]