Columnists
10/11/2026 · Hertford
The Tiny “When–Then” Plan That Makes Follow-Through Easier
Motivation is unreliable, especially before coffee. A simple when–then plan lets you decide in advance what you’ll do when the usual distraction shows up.
The Fly That Ruins the Grand Finale
Emily Dickinson’s “I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—” does something gloriously rude: it replaces the solemn mystery of death with an insect. That tiny interruption is the poem’s whole power—and a useful lesson in how to write about enormous things.
10/10/2026
The Most Radical Form of Generosity Is Paying Attention
Simone Weil thought attention was more than concentration: it was a moral act. Her strange, bracing idea can change how you read, listen, and even struggle with a problem today.
10/10/2026
The Country Has Two Clocks, and Washington Keeps Watching the Wrong One
Prices, immigration, artificial intelligence, and campaign politics are colliding in the same news cycle. The public wants receipts, while Washington keeps offering talking points.
10/10/2026
The Group Chat, the Ex, and Other Ways We Avoid the Actual Conversation
Three readers are stuck in familiar relationship mud: resentment over chores, a partner who still talks to an ex, and a marriage that feels more like a payroll department. The fix is not “communicate better” and it definitely isn’t buying throw pillows.
10/10/2026
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View allObituary: Bessie Lee Warren
Bessie Lee Williams Warren, 93, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at her home. A native of Hertford, she was a daughter of the late Lester and Annie Mae Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph B. Warren. Surviving are her sister, Shirley Williams; her brother, Gene Williams; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held Friday, September 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Warren Family Cemetery, Hertford, with Pastor Mike L. Johnson officiating. Friends may join the family at the cemetery.
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