If the 50s were not a shining moment in human history, the decade at least landed us with an abundance of game shows. Truth or Consequences, The Price Is Right, Queen for a Day and, a few years later, Let鈥檚 Make a Deal. These were the four that played at our house, and I considered it daytime TV at its finest. How I became a game show aficionado puzzled me for years. Why wasn鈥檛 I in school or playing with my friends? These shows aired in the morning or early afternoon yet somehow I can picture myself, a little kid lounging on a rug the color of elephant skin, looking up at the small black-and-white box of the television while a man in a suit (the particular man depended on the particular show) called out with a booming voice that carried right into our New York City apartment.
The show I liked best was Queen for a Day. All that weeping and handwringing followed by forced smiles and fainting when the winner was chosen. Five days a week five down-on-their-luck ladies stood before the audience and told their tales of woe. Their husband had died or walked out on them, their money was gone, their kids were running wild in the streets. The winner was the woman whose story was deemed most heart-wrenching, most pitiful. The audience was the judge by means of an applause meter and the queen was crowned right there on television and given, for her trouble, a new washer-dryer.
Stranded in the scorching Arizona desert, Michael Wolcott reflects on the fragile beauty of the wild, the encroachment of modern civilization and the deep, conflicted longing for a vanishing solitude. Read moreLetter from Home: True desert
Margaret Erhart recounts her decades-long friendship with Carmen, an immigrant who became a U.S. citizen after years of struggle and contribution, highlighting the humanity, resilience and civic engagement of those often overlooked in conversations about immigration. Read moreLetter from Home: The shoes of a citizen
Reflecting on a lifetime of air travel experiences, Stacy Murison contemplates the changes and challenges of flying while still appreciating the magic of reaching distant places swiftly. Read moreLetter from Home: Time to fly ... time flies
An unexpected upgrade on a flight leads to a lesson in listening and connection with a stranger sharing heartfelt stories. Read moreLetter from Home: Listen up
As spring arrives and boats emerge in the neighborhood, Margaret Erhart reminisces on a life intertwined with rivers and boats. Read moreLetter from Home: Ah, boats
A nostalgic reflection on the game of hearts played during road trips, highlighting strategies, risks and the metaphorical implications in life. Read moreLetter from Home: Shooting the moon
Exploring the ancient pottery fragments in the pinyon-juniper forest near Flagstaff leads to reflections on modern society versus ancient Puebloan culture. Read moreLetter from Home: Down Deadman Wash
A reflection on the correlation between dinosaurs and human behavior, highlighting the shift towards brawn over brains and the consequences of this age. Read moreLetter from Home: The Age of Brawn
Stacy Murison discusses her journey in diversity, equity and inclusion training as an educator, highlighting the importance of listening and understanding other perspectives.
A series of university professor meetings provokes Laura Kelly to discuss the impact of AI on writing, questioning the essence of human articulation and the future of teaching writing. Read moreLetter from Home: The write thing
Peter Friederici explores the Sonoran Desert in Yuma, facing personal and political challenges before finding solace and resilience in the desert's life and wisdom. Read moreLetter from Home: Dry winter
Graffiti as a form of self-expression, both vandalism and creativity, speaks volumes about societal issues and personal struggles, leaving messages of hope and love. Read moreLetter from Home: Kids with paint
This story in Georgia recounts two funerals, a deer hunt and meaningful connections between people, highlighting the impact of words, actions and timing. Read moreLetter from Home: The right moment
In 1985 Nepal, Laura Kelly battles illness during her travels. Unexpectedly, she meets Jimmy Carter, finding solace and perspective in shared stories of loss and adventure amidst the Himalayas. Read moreLetter from Home: Remembering Jimmy Carter
The annual holiday lights in Wheeler Park symbolize both the magic and complexity of Christmas, evoking a mix of wonder, tradition and deeper, unattainable meaning. Read moreLetter from Home: Blue light special
In 1985, Michael Wolcott, a newcomer to Manhattan, experienced a unique and lonely Christmas in the city, reflecting on family traditions while wandering the empty streets. Read moreLetter from Home: First Christmas
Struggling with physical issues, Stacy Murison finds strength through exercise after a series of challenges with family, discovering inner resilience and empowerment. Read moreLetter from Home: A different kind of strength
