Like a lot of once devout people who have lost their faith, I had holes the size of heaven and hell in my head and in my heart. - Sarah Vowell

"I'm always disappointed when I see the word "Puritan" tossed around as shorthand for a bunch of generic, boring, stupid, judgmental killjoys. Because to me, they are very specific, fascinating, sometimes brilliant, judgmental killjoys who rarely agreed on anything except that Catholics are going to hell."

To me, every plaque, no matter what words are inscribed on it, says the same magic informative thing: Something happened! The gum cost a dollar, but the story was free.

I like that the Mall serves as our national Tuppaware, reliable and empty, waiting to be filled with potluck whatever.