Our deepest lessons are found in the truths of our apparent enemies, by "looking at the person who harms you, and seeing how they are like you." This is the message of Brenda Peterson, speaking from her own family and daily life experiences, on topics from leaky roofs to the abortion issue.

The "fin-de-siecle" phenomenon that arises at the end of each century is expressing itself in the "Gothic" sub-culture. Teenagers dress in black or in torn lace, wearing ghoulish make-up or face paint, as reminders of death and decline. Rather than making them morbid or depressed, however, they say this helps them live more joyfully and creatively.