Ann Silverthorn

Twice a year, in the United States and many other parts of the world, we observe a ritual of changing the clocks on our walls, microwaves, and stoves, one hour backward or forward. Thankfully, our cell phones and computers figure out these shifts on their own. Here are seven bits about Daylight Saving Time that…

Comparing today’s technology with the 1968 movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, reveals interesting parallels and contrasts. In some ways, almost two decades after the new millennium began, we have surpassed what the film makers imagined, but in others, we have quite a way to go. Our cellular technology strongly contrasts communication methods displayed in the movie.…

The other morning, at breakfast, my husband received a text from our credit card company. He asked me how much my meal cost at a dinner I attended the day before. “It was free,” I said. He then realized that the charge that the credit card company wished to verify was fraudulent. A quick Google…

Once upon a time, there was a country called, “Independence.” The citizens of Independence prided themselves on their patriotism, having an appreciation for the long-ago revolution that had liberated them from oppression. The citizens of Independence enjoyed many freedoms, including where to work, where to live, whom to marry, what to say, etc. Various sporting events often brought the…

This blog post contains a book proposal on the manuscript that resulted from the Dimorier Project. BRIEF ABSTRACT  The Dimorier project began in 2004, when a handwritten journal of original poetry was discovered at a printing-house auction in Erie, Pennsylvania. The journal belonged to William E. Dimorier (1871-1951), an educator, administrator, benefactor, and poet. Born in Afton,…

All around the world, pets play an important role in the human family structure. In addition to their day-to-day care, managing their health can be complicated. A good relationship with a qualified, caring veterinarian can help navigate the many options in providing pets with the best-possible, and most-practical, care. Brandon Grimshawe, DVM, and his wife, Jenny…

This post originally appeared on the DVD Netflix blog “Inside the Envelope.” That company folded in 2023, and the blog was shut down, but you might find some good stuff here. Summertime movies occupy an enduring place in my mind. I guess this is what filmmakers hope for, that their creations will live on and…

TSA Page Dedicated to Contact Lens Solution If you wear contact lenses and you’ve traveled by air, you’ve probably made a special trip to the store for contact-lens solution (saline) in a bottle 3.4 ounces or smaller. But that trip was unnecessary, because you could carry on a gallon of it if you wanted to…

Recently, I fell while running in my basement and broke my right wrist. Yes, you read that right. I run [ran] 5K in an oval in my basement three times a week, because I’m afraid of falling off a treadmill or tripping in a pothole outside. . . That morning, I caught my toe on…

Disclaimer: I am a member of Netflix’s DVD.com Director’s program, which gives me free access to movies. If you sign up with my referral link, I may receive a referral reward. [2026 update: DVD Netflix is no more.] I love opening the red envelopes that appear in my mailbox from DVD.com. Oftentimes, they offer a fun activity…