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Debra Rienstra

silly

Holiday Classics Updated

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Santa, the elves, and the reindeer have all completed sensitivity training. So when Rudolph is born with a red nose, everyone affirms his difference. Comet, the flying coach, now emphasizes inclusion, so he welcomes female reindeer into the games. In fact,…
mm
December 26, 2014
review

Exodus Movie Wrestles With God

Director Ridley Scott had me at the thundering hooves. I should not have enjoyed the two-and-a-half hours I spent watching Exodus: Gods and Kings—there are so many things wrong with it. But who can resist cast-of-thousands battle scenes, Egyptian palace intrigue swathed in gold lamé,…
mm
December 12, 2014
college lifesilly

Hogwarts Adjusts to New Realities

“I am so glad I’m not taking Divination anymore!” Hermione had just come down from the girls’ dormitory into the Gryffindor common room. She plopped down into a squashy armchair next to Harry and Ron, looking thoroughly disgusted. “Look at this,” she said, flipping open…
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November 15, 2014
memoirspirituality

Mighty Deeds

“There’s a lot of down time between the mighty deeds of God.” I heard myself saying this to my friend Sharon over pancakes yesterday. We were talking about her church’s efforts to discern where God is taking them next. They were weathering some discouraging developments…
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September 20, 2014
cultural commentaryreview

Ye Olden Reality TV

Yes, they really joust! None of this Renaissance Faire theatrical choreography crap: pfuh! This is the real deal. Sixteen beefy guys with a glint in the eye and a fire in the belly suit up in 80 pounds of bristling steel armor, climb onto 1800-pound…
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September 6, 2014
memoirreview

The Big Book of What She Really Thinks

I have loved Roz Chast’s cartoons since one of my college friends introduced me back in the 1980s to Chast’s quietly twisted portrayals of ordinary neuroses and domestic absurdities. Chast specializes in boring people, living room couches, potted plants—yet somehow she cuts life on the…
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August 23, 2014
artscultural commentary

Civilization

Last night I sat on the steps of the United States Capitol and enjoyed my tax dollars at work in the form of the U. S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” It turns out that this elite army band is actually a collection of nine ensembles,…
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July 26, 2014