That magical period between day and night, often called ‘the hour between dog and wolf’ (or ‘l’heure entre chien et loup,’ for those who appreciate poetic French), perfectly captures twilight’s enchanting ambiguity. It’s when the sun dips below the horizon, leaving the sky in a gentle tug-of-war between lingering blue and encroaching black. In this captivating borderland, it’s easy to feel a little disoriented, perhaps even mistaking the familiar for something wild and unknown.
Tomorrow marks the end of daylight saving time, plunging us into what feels like an extended twilight zone. This initial Sunday in November is a day caught between seasons, where the last wisps of summer fade as winter’s chill begins to bite. A subtle disorientation takes hold: evening traffic incidents rise, our internal clocks scramble, and the moon makes an early appearance. This transitional period can feel strange and unsettling until our bodies and minds adjust.
Every year, I can’t help but sense a hint of menace in those earlier sunsets, a quiet sorrow as the daylight recedes. The carefree ‘dog days’ of summer are behind us, both literally and figuratively. For those of us in the northeast U.S., spring and summer feel like gentle companions, while autumn and winter often reveal a sharper, more formidable side.
Not everyone shares this sentiment. Around this time, I always reach out to my friend Leigh, hoping to absorb some of her infectious enthusiasm. ‘License to hunker down!’ she exclaimed when I mentioned the upcoming time change. ‘It’s 4:30, I’m done for the day! Time for a drink and my favorite shows!’ Her joyous surrender to the season is something I wish I could wrap myself in until spring arrives.
The ancient Greeks understood time in two distinct ways. Chronos represented linear, measurable time – the ticking clock that dictates our bedtimes, appointments, and the hour we either gain or lose. Kairos, however, was a more profound, qualitative measure: it was the opportune moment, the right time for action, a sacred window of possibility. To grasp kairos, one must be fully present, awake, and aware. As Madeleine L’Engle eloquently put it, ‘The child at play, the painter at his easel, Serkin playing the Appassionata are in kairos. The saint in prayer, friends around the dinner table, the mother reaching out her arms for her newborn baby are in kairos.’
Considering the profound, almost mystical potential of kairos, it feels rather uninspired to simply lament the loss of a chronos hour. Regardless of the season, kairos is always present. These fleeting moments of opportunity, luck, and serendipity are constantly unfolding, but we must be attentive enough to embrace them. The quietude of the colder, darker months – that ‘license to hunker’ – encourages us to pause, reflect, and observe more deeply. What unexpected chances and connections might appear when we allow ourselves to be a bit quieter, a bit more perceptive? Tomorrow, as the sun dips an hour earlier, I’ll be pondering kairos, seeking those invaluable opportunities that transcend the mere constraints of the clock and calendar.
THE LATEST NEWS
Government Shutdown
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A judge has mandated that the administration continue food stamp payments despite the ongoing government shutdown, a program that was on the brink of exhausting its funds today.
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Across the nation, air traffic control understaffing has led to a second consecutive day of extensive flight delays, particularly impacting airports in and around New York City.
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The former president has pressured Senate Republicans to abolish the filibuster to force an end to the shutdown, a move many fear could have unintended negative consequences.
More on Politics
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Ohio has become the most recent state to redraw its congressional districts, a change that could potentially grant Republicans an additional two seats in the upcoming midterm elections.
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Vice President JD Vance has expressed his wish for his wife, Usha Vance, who grew up in a Hindu household, to convert to Catholicism. This statement quickly drew significant criticism across social media.
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A widening rift over trade policy is emerging among Republicans. Some within the party are against the former president’s proposal to import beef from Argentina, and senators have voted thrice this week to curtail the president’s authority to impose broad tariffs.
Other Big Stories
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Jamaica has tragically increased its official death toll from Hurricane Melissa to 19, with authorities anticipating further rises as rescue efforts continue in the most devastated regions.
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OpenAI’s rapid ascent to a multi-billion-dollar valuation has been driven by intricate and interconnected financial arrangements. Visualizations break down the mechanics behind these deals.
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The advancement of AI is making online threats disturbingly realistic, allowing harassers to create vivid, violent imagery of their victims in hypothetical scenarios.
THE WEEK IN CULTURE
Fine Arts
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Imagine owning an 18-karat gold toilet for a cool $10 million—or whatever this opulent, flushable sculpture fetches just hours before its auction next month.
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Oakland’s police department has reported that over 1,000 artifacts were stolen from a local museum by thieves.
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Even on vacation, Claude Monet, the pioneer of French Impressionism, was known to spend ten-hour days dedicated to his easel. A magnificent exhibition in Brooklyn now sheds light on his unwavering dedication.
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A recent survey reveals that the majority of museum employees have contemplated leaving their jobs within the last five years, citing issues like inadequate pay, exhaustion, and emerging ‘culture wars’ within the industry.
Film
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In ‘Hedda,’ Tessa Thompson portrays a frustrated newlywed whose actions unleash chaos. Critics describe it as ‘a film for adults that, much like its central character, challenges the intellect.’
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‘Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,’ an animated Japanese film, beautifully tells the story of a young girl exploring her world, offering a deeply humanist narrative with significant philosophical depth.
Theater
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Typically, the New York City Center gala showcases serious dramas. However, this year, it’s delivering an unexpected blend of exaggerated gore and provocative themes with ‘Bat Boy: The Musical.’
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Daniel Radcliffe is set to return to Broadway, taking the stage in a one-man show titled ‘Every Brilliant Thing.’
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Despite being gone for 35 years, Samuel Beckett’s works are experiencing a resurgence, including the Druid theater company’s production of his stark tragicomedy, ‘Endgame.’
More Culture
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A quarter-century after his departure from ‘Saturday Night Live,’ Tim Meadows continues to grace television screens, captivating new generations of viewers with his comedic talent.
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This year has seen a wave of video game reboots, such as those in the Double Dragon and Ninja Gaiden franchises, harkening back to a time when games were notoriously challenging.
LISTEN TO THIS
British singer Lily Allen has dropped a powerful new divorce album that not only mercilessly dissects an unnamed former partner (widely thought to be her ex-husband, actor David Harbour) but is also, remarkably, genuinely excellent. Our critic deemed it ‘irresistible.’
I found myself immersed in her album, ‘West End Girl,’ while taking a bath one evening, and I couldn’t stop listening until the water turned cold. The narrative unfolded with scandalous, astonishing, and almost unbelievable details — a candid exploration of a marriage’s downfall, with each song revealing a new facet of betrayal, deceit, and even read-aloud text messages.
Our critic suggests that Allen’s explicit and sensational approach to detailing her personal life in her music serves as ‘a way of reclaiming her power in her broken relationship.’ In the track ‘Let You W/In,’ she powerfully declares, ‘I can walk out with my dignity if I lay my truth on the table.’ And indeed, she has.
Related: The recent listing of Allen and Harbour’s nearly $8 million Brooklyn brownstone has only amplified the public intrigue surrounding their separation.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Got leftover Halloween candy? Transform it into Nigella Lawson’s delightfully sweet and chewy monster cookies. This recipe is perfect for incorporating any spare treats into an oat-speckled cookie dough. Chocolate-based candies, like peppermint patties and peanut butter cups, melt beautifully in the oven, while M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces add a satisfying crunch.
REAL ESTATE
The Hunt: A retired couple, eager for a vibrant downtown filled with shops and eateries, explored homes in Portland and Seattle with a budget of $725,000. Discover which city and home captured their hearts by playing our interactive game.
Do It Yourself: Painting furniture can be surprisingly challenging. Consult our comprehensive guide for expert tips and tricks.
LIVING
Where to Eat: For those visiting New York, a special culinary treat is a must. Our journalists have meticulously selected the city’s top snack destinations.
Travel 101: Overslept and missed your flight? Don’t despair! Here’s invaluable advice on how to salvage your travel plans.
DocGPT: As more people turn to AI chatbots for medical guidance, experts offer crucial advice on how to use these tools responsibly and safely.
ADVICE FROM WIRECUTTER
Sometimes, life simply doesn’t allow for leisurely cooking sessions. Whether you’re a busy parent navigating school schedules, a college student buried under assignments, or an experienced home cook pressed for time, a jar of marinara sauce can be a true savior. The good news is, store-bought options have vastly improved. Today’s grocery aisles offer an impressive array of choices, many of which can easily pass for homemade. After meticulously taste-testing 41 different brands, we’ve identified several exceptional marinara sauces perfect for your busiest days, including a rich, zesty option ideal for dipping mozzarella sticks and a rustic blend that’s delicious on its own. —Maki Yazawa
GAME OF THE WEEK
World Series Game 7: Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Last weekend, our newsletter highlighted the World Series as a compelling clash between the Dodgers’ dominant pitching, renowned for its strikeouts, and the Blue Jays’ formidable batting lineup, celebrated for its consistent contact.
The Blue Jays have indeed delivered with their bats, racking up 11, 6, and 6 runs in their victories, and even managing 5 runs in their Game 3 loss, an epic 18-inning marathon. While Los Angeles’s pitching hasn’t always been flawless, it has certainly shone at critical moments. Their often-unpredictable bullpen silenced Toronto for an impressive 11 consecutive innings in Game 3, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto has proven to be a standout, pitching a complete game in Game 2 and delivering six strong innings in last night’s crucial 3-1 win.
Catch Game 7 live tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern on Fox.
NOW TIME TO PLAY
Challenge yourself with today’s Spelling Bee. Did you find yesterday’s pangrams, twitching and witching?
Test your knowledge with our weekly news quiz and see how closely you followed this week’s top stories. (Fair warning: it’s a real brain-teaser!)
And for more mental fun, don’t miss today’s Mini Crossword, Wordle, Sudoku, Connections, and Strands.
Thank you for joining us this weekend. — Melissa
Correction: A previous edition of Thursday’s newsletter incorrectly stated the gift from South Korea that the former president mentioned wearing; it was a medal, not a crown.
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