“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.” — Frank A. Clark

In some cases that may be true, but I think it really depends on what kind of plant you are and I like to consider myself a sturdy, resilient, and lasting Bristlecone Pine.

First things first! Wouldn’t it be crazy if you happened upon the San Diego Reader and read MY COLUMN this week and said, “Wait a minute… WE just moved into a two-story condo and WE have a cat, and I wear a white robe every morning… This crazy chick is watching US!” I get a sick thrill from picturing that moment, that Being John Malkovich-esque weirdness of happening across a random article in which you recognize yourself. These are the things that please me.

Other things that please me! I just picked up Ann Patchett’s Truth and Beauty, the true story of the author and her best friend, Lucy Grealy. In one of Lucy’s letters, she expressed an idea that made complete sense to me and I realize, without having been able to form the words to express it, this is how I too feel, in many ways, about New Age stuff.