Letter to the Editor as published in the New York Times- July 2026

To the Editor:

I really enjoyed “Picking Trash Out of Muck, and Loving It” (front page, July 18). It was refreshing to read such an uplifting story about a group of women who spend their time wading through ponds and lakes pulling underwater garbage from the muck.

You quote Lisa Weiss, a 65-year-old retired high school math teacher, as saying, “You’re exhausted, you’re maybe a little sunburned, you’re filthy, and it’s the best feeling.”

I wasn’t surprised to learn that the effort was started by a psychologist. The article beautifully illustrated what decades of psychological research have shown: Lasting happiness comes from connection, accomplishment, purpose and, perhaps most important, contributing to others.

At a time when so much of the news focuses on conflict and discouragement, this story was a welcome reminder that working together to improve our communities can bring deep joy.

The turtles and the fish are surely grateful for the women’s efforts, and they’re not the only ones applauding. I’m clapping for them, too.

Thank you for highlighting these women and the power of doing good.

Caren Baruch-Feldman
Scarsdale, N.Y.
The writer is a psychologist.

A version of this article appears in print on July 31, 2026, Section A, Page 19 of the New York edition with the headline: The Fauci Interrogation, and the Diary.

The writer, a psychologist, is the author of “The Grit Guide for Teens” and a co-author of “The Resilience Workbook for Kids.”