Truth remains the same, though it is often decorated or disguised, even obscured to fit the times. In 1896, H. G. Wells wrote, “There is very little deliberate wickedness in the world. The stupidity of our selfishness gives much the same results indeed…” Robert Heinlein echoed the thought in 1941 when he wrote, “You have … More Hanlon’s Razor
Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.” “Surely some … More Slouching Towards Bethlehem
“If the mass of citizens are to rule, it is absolutely necessary that they should have very strong principles of thought. … if you want to build a wall of pebbles you must have very strong cement.” -G. K. Chesterton During the long holiday weekend of the 4th our thoughts turn to the many ways … More A Wall Of Pebbles
The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is stretch. The second thing is to ward off the adorably relentless paws of Peaches who, the moment she detects signs of awakening, is keen to, first of all, eat because she is starving and has never eaten in her entire life, and … More Through The Window And Beyond The Fence
If you looked out your window early on a Saturday morning and the half ton of topsoil waiting to be worked into the raised beds in the garden made you feel good, or if you derived the same sense of well-being from a pile of wood chips or gravel, I think we could have a … More Common Interest
The forsythia bush by the driveway, the hopeful one that regularly sends out a few exploratory blossoms in December just to see, may finally be convinced that winter has arrived. We suspected as much. The hum of the electric meter has developed a tone that unconsciously stimulates my hand to reach protectively for my wallet. … More No Matter How You Slice It
On the 7th of November, I was having lunch with a good friend who lives a few miles south of here. We settled into a friendly little mercado—one of those charming community-based stores that combine a small café with a market offering fresh meat, produce, and everyday essentials. They remind me of the local markets … More A Fair Witness
Another Halloween has come and gone without a single trick-or-treater. Another big bowl of peanuts and prunes to wrap up and put away until next year. We don’t know why the kids stopped coming. I’m tempted to have a Heath Bar with my coffee this morning, but I’ll stick with toast. We wouldn’t waste our … More Trick Or Treat
Last week I wrote that the storm could have been much worse for Georgia. I regret saying that. While it’s true statistically, this is the last thing someone wants to hear who is sleeping on a cot in a temporary shelter or waiting for their electricity to be restored. It’s no relief whatsoever for anyone … More What Are Your Priorities?
“How did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked. “Two ways,” Mike said. “Gradually and then suddenly.” This exchange is from Hemingway’s book, “The Sun Also Rises,” and it anticipates the more recent use of “slowly, then all at once,” which is a concise description of the way we often experience change. Things that seem to happen … More Shelter From The Storm
Outside The Box 