Category Archives: Rambles

Bits and pieces provoked by moving through space, history, and the calendar.

Are Things Getting Blurry in Here?

Posted on 09 January 2013 by Isabel Gibson

One of a miscellany of short observations from a trip to Scotland. Heading out the front door in a blur, I make the mistake of looking in the narrow antique mirror placed there by some decorating maniac. Now, there’s a … Continue reading →

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Twenty Thirteen

Posted on 06 January 2013 by Isabel Gibson

Another year begins. Will it be music to our ears, or a discordant crash of noise? Will it be the sparkle of new beginnings, or the comfort of old traditions? Will it be obligation, or invitation? Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciating Deeply, Through the Calendar | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Gift of Wonder

Posted on 05 January 2013 by Isabel Gibson

Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with short reflections on 12 gifts We have some things in common, my next-seat neighbour and I: we are both female, we are both bored. She, however, is about 7 years old; I am … Continue reading →

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The Gift of Clear Thinking

Posted on 04 January 2013 by Isabel Gibson

Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with short reflections on 12 gifts Did you hate math class? OK, you econometrics, engineering, IT, math and physics majors reading this (all five of you!) are excused from answering this one. You arts, … Continue reading →

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The Gift of Juxtaposition

Posted on 03 January 2013 by Isabel Gibson

Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with short reflections on 12 gifts From Harper’s Index to Small Dead Animals, juxtaposition offers new ways of looking at things, and enables us to comment while retaining the ability to deny having done … Continue reading →

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The Gift of Perspective

Posted on 02 January 2013 by Isabel Gibson

Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with short reflections on 12 gifts People seem most eager to give us the gift of perspective right after life has given us something lousy, when things are going for fooey. Nothing matters very … Continue reading →

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The Gift of Ambition

Posted on 01 January 2013 by Isabel Gibson

Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with short reflections on 12 gifts Now that we’ve taken a day or two and evolved ourselves into perfectly reasonable beings with entirely realistic expectations, maybe we’re in position to truly enjoy the gift … Continue reading →

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The Gift of Realism

Posted on 31 December 2012 by Isabel Gibson

Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with short reflections on 12 gifts   Good, fast, cheap: Pick two. Who says you can’t have it all? Well, apparently software developers do, and good for them.  This short injunction neatly sums up … Continue reading →

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The Gift of Motivation

Posted on 30 December 2012 by Isabel Gibson

Celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with short reflections on 12 gifts The best is the enemy of the good. Voltaire, in a letter to Frederik of Prussia Voltaire’s words come as a bit of a shock: we are more … Continue reading →

Posted in Thinking Broadly, Through the Calendar | Tagged , , | 4 Comments