Ruminations by John McGlynn: Underclass

In September 1970 when I began college at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, it was as a Fine Arts and Theater major—a choice for which I was underprepared, especially when compared to my classmates, all of whom had graduated from large urban schools where a...
Ruminations by John McGlynn: Love Letters

Ruminations by John McGlynn: Love Letters

With ten children in my family and limited private space in our home, the attic was a favorite haunt for me, especially in inclement weather when it was impossible to play outside and otherwise difficult to get beyond calling reach of a parent or nagging distance from...
Ruminations by John McGlynn: Mementoes

Ruminations by John McGlynn: Mementoes

In Indonesian there are several words for “souvenir.” One is oleh-oleh: gifts brought back from a trip, often snacks particular to the region visited (tempé crisps from Malang, for instance, or fermented cassava from Purwakarta). Another is cinderamata: keepsake items...