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Relates the author's story of using prayer to deal with the stress of taking a university exam. His achievement of the highest grade in the class; His reliance upon God; Definition of the term `mind,' according to Christian Science; The ability of everyone to turn to God in times of need.

Explains that many teachers are no longer using red pens to grade students' papers. Preference for pencil; How the soft touch is popular; Self-esteem an issue; Aesthetic issue; Value of red pens in grading.

Reports that because it is considered to be ideologically correct, executives are downsizing their companies. Remarks by Mark Mone, a management professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's business school; Details on the research of a paper on `ideological currents' legitimizing downsizing in the minds of executives; Companies profits resulting from downsizing;

Focuses on the mind of a poet, qualities and his commitment to his work, while fulfilling his social commitments.

Describes moving of houses as an aspect of life and its consequences. Shedding redundant articles; Mix of memories and values; Personal wisdom and joy.

Opinion. Presents reminiscences of the author from school life related to the headmistress, following a later meeting with her. Account of the same.

Presents a story on two sisters who shared a room. Their sisterly squabbles; Reminiscence of the past.

Discusses the so-called Trenchcoat Mafia, a group of students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. The group of social outcasts; Group members Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, who allegedly shot 15 people at the school and then shot themselves; Violence down among urban youth and gangs; Traits of obsessed youths; The group's fetishes and openness to ridicule; Subcultures in high schools.

Focuses on the experience of three Russian veterans in a discussion of disenchantment and disillusionment in Russia as of spring 1999. Sasha Kartava, Pasha Panin and Misha Fominykh's service in a Soviet Army brigade in Afghanistan in the 1980s; Perquisites and status of military academy graduates in the Soviet Union (USSR); Impact of the USSR's collapse on military men; Post-military employment and difficulties; Frustration at lack of opportunity.

Reports on the apparent success of the Setagaya ChildLine, a telephone-counseling service for children in Japan. Problems children call in about; Statistics on the percentage of children in Japan with problems they could not talk to anyone about; Concerns regarding children in Japan. INSET: Building trust.

Discusses a gathering of women in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at which the women discussed being `empty-nesters,' parents whose children have grown up and moved away. The women's appreciation for their newfound peace and quiet; Their career and life goals.

Reflects on the childhood anticipation of summer vacation. Joy of the last school day of the year; How you get only so many last days of school.

Remembers the encouragement that the author's father provided when he failed as a kid. The author's attempt to make the high school baseball team; How his father responded; The importance of trying things in spite of our fear; Why it is important to have someone to encourage you and to pick you up when you fall.

Discusses the impact that high-profile trials can have on the members of the juries during those trials. The experience of Niki Deutchman, a member of the Terry Nichols jury; Comments from Robert Hirschhorn, a Texas jury consultant and trial lawyer; How public sentiment affects juries; How the jury from the Louise Woodward trial responded to the overturning of their verdict; Pushes for jury reform.

Reports the people in the United States are seeking alternatives to Christmas shopping to bring more meaning to the Christmas celebration. Percentage of people who would welcome less spending and gift-giving; Comments from Gerald Iverson, national coordinator of Alternatives for Simple Living; The search for a way to honor family and the holiday itself; The debt that Christmas causes for many people.

Opinion. Discusses so-called vacation gremlins, or things which make vacations seem much more like work by keeping one constantly connected to the office. Host Mariott Services to install tabletop personal computers in restaurants; Kinko's advertising for officing; CompuServe's effort to push reliable connectivity; The contention that we need time to squander by doing nothing; The benefits of not being connected.

Expresses the importance of home or a place of belonging for every human being. Construction of a `fort' by the author's son in the backyard of his house with various cardboard boxes as a symbolism for the need felt for a shelter; Destruction of the fort by a heat wave.

Evaluates the letters children write back home and tries to interpret the meaning of their letters by reading between the lines. Feelings of children in camps; Worries of parents about their children; Letter writing as an activity of choice; Priority of writing a letter.

States the findings of Michael McBeath and Dennis Shaffer of Kent State University at Kent, Ohio and Mary Kaiser of the NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California, regarding the natural instincts of the baseball players' resorting to math during their game strategy.