All Purls. No Swine.
Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order… Continue reading On Self-Deception
In the far future, civilization experiences a catastrophic collapse in the centuries-ago past. Jon of Dun Add is re-forging isolated pockets of human habitation into a unified and civilized whole. His Hall of Champions is a tool in this effort. This fellowship enforces justice across Jon’s realm. Pal is one of Jon’s newest knights, and… Continue reading Book Review by Seawriter: An Arthurian Tale in a Science Fiction Future
The headline from a featured article in today's Telegraph: Garden of weeds takes home gold at Royal Horticultural Society Show. I am crying with joy. Speechless with pride. Overcome with emotion. And--at last--sure of my gardening (if nothing else) prowess. (Those of you who are vehement defenders of your Homeowner Association's right to regulate to… Continue reading Oh, My Very Goshness! I’m Trendsetting Again!
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea. So twice five miles of fertile ground With walls and towers were girdled round; And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree; And here… Continue reading “A damsel with a dulcimer”
It is 1927. Prohibition is on and the stock market crash is in the future. Joe Rath is a catcher for the National League Baltimore Beacons. Pickoff, a novel by GP Hutchinson, opens with Joe heading off for the ballpark to join the team for a road trip to Chicago. Joe is a family man,… Continue reading Book Review by Seawriter: Baseball and Bootleggers in the Roaring Twenties
I don't believe that for a moment. Although it's a frequently-expressed opinion from a man I used to respect. No more. For I know that: He. Is. Wrong. Let me explain. I live on a farm. I'm a widow and on my own. I'm almost 67 years old. I'm increasingly dependent on friends and neighbors… Continue reading Quote of the Day: “America is Too Stupid to Live”
Well, not really. While July 22 is celebrated as Rat Catcher’s Day in the United States and a few other countries, it’s not a festivity that has really caught on, and good luck finding a celebratory acknowledgement to send to your friend in the greeting card section of your local supermarket. As far as I… Continue reading It’s National “Hug A Rat Catcher Day!”
A personal favorite: Sure Sure's cover of "This Must be the Place." Originally recorded by the Talking Heads (who I also love) I particularly enjoy this breezy summery cover. My favorite lyrics? "Never for money, always for love," "Home is where I want to be, but I guess I'm already there," and "Out of all… Continue reading Musical Mondays–“This Must Be the Place”
When a friend calls to me from the road And slows his horse to a meaning walk, I don’t stand still and look around On all the hills I haven’t hoed, And shout from where I am, What is it? No, not as there is a time to talk. I thrust my hoe in the… Continue reading A Time To Talk
Regular readers here (thank you!) may have noticed that I've been signaling a bit of distress the last couple of days. That's because a dear friend, a virtual friend, a person I've never met, someone I didn't "know," IRL, but who (as they used to say about Princess Diana) I'm pretty sure knew me, died… Continue reading (Not) His Last Post: Boss Mongo, RIP