The sole survivor of the night of the marauding squirrels/deers/gophers has bloomed: That’s it for my tulips this year. It stands, forlorn and alone, a profile in courage. It’s a beautiful day today, though, one of several unseasonably warm ones … Continue reading →
Some of you may recall that I sorta, kinda, like, follow “American Idol.” Yes, it’s the populist in me. I’m actually somewhat more interested in the soap opera aspect of the show (correction: the “human interest” aspect of it) than … Continue reading →
One of my favorite authors is Milan Kundera. Yes, I know, I’ve said it before–I’ve discussed Kundera’s work here and here, as well as here and here. So, why Kundera yet again (and I doubt this will be the last … Continue reading →
Starting in the mid-1800s, the Welsh Presbyterian Church was active in proselytizing, sending missionaries around the world. One of the places those missionaries went was Mizoram, an area of northeast India. They were wildly successful there with a tribe called … Continue reading →
When I was just a tiny child, there was a popular song called “It Takes Two to Tango.” A family story—perhaps apocryphal, perhaps true—is that when I was just a toddler, my parents took me to see the ice show … Continue reading →
Part of an interesting piece by Dr. Horsefeathers on the subject of Kipling, posted some time ago (ignore the spambot dump that the comments section of that post has managed to become) , is the following observation on Kipling and … Continue reading →
A reader emailed me the link to this video, and I enjoyed it so much I thought I’d put it out here for public consumption. I won’t describe it and ruin the fun; just watch, and enjoy!
Continue reading →Rudyard Kipling’s name has come up in the comments section twice recently. The first time was in the context of this comment, in which Richard Aubrey mentions that: Kipling, in his “Kim” has a retired officer of Indian cavalry talking … Continue reading →
After writing today’s post about toothbrushes and bacteria, I somehow thought of the poem “Crazy Jane Talks With the Bishop,” by William Butler Yeats, which says the same thing. Or, sort of the same thing. Or a related thing. So, … Continue reading →
The last post of mine (number two in this series) generated so many exceptional comments that I was thinking of just reproducing a few of them and calling it a day. Here‘s one by grackle: One problem with Rockwell for … Continue reading →
[Part I here.] Now, who doesn’t like Norman Rockwell? Yeah, he’s corny as all get out. But breathes there the man (or woman) with soul so dead who wouldn’t be touched by this picture, and a host of others by … Continue reading →
Those of you who read here regularly have probably noticed I’ve been mulling over the uses of propaganda lately, especially here, and again (at least to a certain degree) here . At some point it occurred to me that nearly … Continue reading →