I was going to write a short post about the definition of “planet” recently proposed by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). I thought some moms would find it useful when helping their children with science homework. Geoffrey Pullam’s post at Language Log on “Gay Marriage and Counting the Planets” made me realize I was thinking
Thanks to HRC for this hot-off-the-presses news: The federal Pension Protection Act signed into law today by President Bush includes two provisions extending important financial protections to same-sex couples as well as other Americans. HRC explains: The first provision, called “Non-Spousal Rollover”: Allows the transfer of an individual’s retirement plan benefits, like a 401(k), to
While on vacation last week, I saw a sign at the airport for a “Family Restroom.” It was a private room, not a stall, with sink and changing table included. Nice idea. The sign, however, was clearly meant to portray an opposite-sex couple and their children. (My later reconstruction to the right; at the time,
We’re back from our trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, the second of what promise to be yearly excursions to national parks with our extended families. I don’t want this to be a “what I did on my summer vacation” essay, though, so I’ll constrain myself to a few observations that may be of
Pita bread is one of those things, like ketchup, that many of us never think about making at home. Try it once, though, and you’ll be loath to go back to store-bought. The texture and flavor are worlds apart. It’s also one of the simplest bread recipes to make, with very short second rise and
I’ve been a fan of all-natural Clif energy bars for years. I’ve taken them to sports competitions, up mountains, and even to the office. In the supermarket the other day, I was happy to see that Clif now makes snack bars for kids. Clif Zbars are different from most of the granola and snack bars
Here’s an easy bread recipe with a slightly sweet taste and lots of hearty whole grains. It’s slightly modified from the superb King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion, which my partner got me (for purely altruistic reasons, she tells me) as a birthday present. I love this book not only for the recipes, but also for
The Vermont Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Vermont courts, not Virginia ones, have sole jurisdiction in a custody battle between two women. The women were residents of Virginia, traveled to Vermont for a civil union, and returned to Virginia, where one gave birth to their child. They then returned to Vermont. A year later, they
A new college reference book, The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students, is the first to rate schools based solely on the opinions of LGBT students and faculty. The Guide looks at “schools’ policies, social organizations, support and healthcare resources, LGBT studies curricula, housing options, campus safety and general atmosphere for ‘out’ students and faculty.”
It’s Martha Stewart’s birthday. I’ve always been pretty neutral on Martha: admiring her as a powerful businesswoman but never really getting into her obsessive domesticity. And no, she’s not to my knowledge a lesbian, though I’ve heard the occasional, perhaps wishful, rumor. I mention her birthday here for two reasons. The Kids section of her
