Faced with the challenge of an endless universe, Man will be forced to mature further, just as the Neanderthal-faced with an entire planet-had no choice but to grow away from the tradition of savagery.

Home is the first refuge from - and last defense against - the disappointments and the terrors of life.

I'm no more a wonder than anyone. And that's what makes the world magical. Every baby's a seed of wonder - that gets watered or it doesn't.

What year these events transpired is of no consequence. Where they occured is not important. The time is always, and the place is everywhere.

It was one of those rare times when remembering the dead was more inmportant than tending to the needs of the living.

When you have dogs, you witness their uncomplaining acceptance of suffering, their bright desire to make the most of life in spite of the limitations of age and disease, their calm awareness of the approaching end when their final hours come. They accept death with a grace that I hope I will one day be brave enough to muster.

What we do as a society is seek simple answers.