When I was about three years old I liked to listen to the music from “Guys and Dolls” on our scratchy old record player. For some reason–perhaps because I was fond of animals–I particularly loved the lyrics of “Fugue for … Continue reading →
I try to do about three miles of brisk walking every day for exercise. On rainy or snowy days, I’m off to the gym and its treadmill, which feels like–well, like being on a treadmill. But on beautiful days or … Continue reading →
What’s a pirouette? Here’s the Wikipedia defintion—and, as a former dancer, I can attest to its correctness: One of the most famous ballet movements; this is where the dancer spins around on demi-pointe or pointe on one leg. The other … Continue reading →
In case you missed it, here’s John J. Miller’s list of the fifty greatest conservative rock songs (and here’s a NY Times article about the list). “Conservative rock songs”–sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? And I have to admit that … Continue reading →
Commenter “snowonpine” made an interesting observation in the American Idol thread, in response to my praise of the getting-on-in-years Dionne Warwick’s performance: Ms. Warwick seemed, to me, to exemplify the inability of a star–be it a TV star, prize fighter … Continue reading →
I haven’t kept up with American Idol much this season, which is just fine with me. But every now and then I do take a look. Last night was the final, as the populists among you no doubt are aware. … Continue reading →
In my post on the unfortunate tendency of revolutions to devour their own, Elmondohummus made the following comment: Such movements, such revolutions, tend not to be the wonderfully exciting, meaningful, free places that participants imagine, but coldhearted, calculating monoliths of … Continue reading →
Here’s a beautiful piece by the Anchoress, an honest and complex tribute to the mother who gave her her love of words. It would be interesting to uncover the heredity/genetics of what makes up a writer and reader. And by … Continue reading →
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 →