By Gina Simmons, Ph.D. Heather wiped her tear-streaked face with tissue. Memories of her father, who abandoned her as a child, still tormented her emotionally, two decades later. As she… read more →
By Jay Schneider, L.C.S.W. “Good morning! What we have here is breakfast in bed for four hundred thousand.” Hugh Romney (Wavy Gravy). The Woodstock Arts and Music Festival kicked off… read more →
By Gina Simmons, Ph.D. Covered from head to toe in modest garments, in the hot Sudanese sun, Lubna Hussein found herself arrested under “indecency” laws. Wearing loose trousers that resembled… read more →
By Gina Simmons, Ph.D. The excited new father gazes in at the hospital nursery with a huge smile of pride and joy. “What will you name him?” asks a friendly… read more →
By Gina Simmons, Ph.D. So you drive to work, start to change lanes (without glancing back over your shoulder) only to notice another car speeding toward you. You correct the… read more →
By Gina Simmons, Ph.D. Summertime means swimming pools, amusement parks, golf courses and house guests for many of us. Vacations spent staying with relatives or friends often trigger hurt feelings,… read more →
By Gina Simmons, Ph.D. I always expected Michael Jackson to die young. Remembering Elvis, Hendrix, Joplin and Cobain, it seemed fitting that Michael would join the ranks of great talents… read more →
By Gina Simmons, Ph.D. The 2009 film Pontypool portrays zombie-like people who’ve become infected by language. In the film, humans parrot the same words and phrases, go on a killing… read more →
by Gina Simmons, Ph.D. I first saw her through a window, sitting outside the Earthblend coffeehouse. She wore a bright turquoise pant suit with a colorful scarf. Her hair was… read more →
by Gina Simmons, Ph.D. Growing up in poverty, I envied those who lived in houses with garages. To my youthful eyes, having a garage meant you had arrived in the… read more →