Katy Simpson Smith, once again, beautifully weaves nature alongside the lives of her characters in her second novel – FREE MEN is based on actual figures in history – about a disparate group: runaway slave, white man, Creek Indian (and, … Read more...
Words: “We Seek An Enlargement Of Our Being” — CS Lewis
In AN EXPERIMENT IN CRITICISM, C.S. Lewis answers the question of Why We Read and also provides the answers to why all forms of storytelling are so important:
… Read more...“We seek an enlargement of our being. We want to be more
Book Review: AMERICA WAS HARD TO FIND by Kathleen Alcott
How timely was AMERICA WAS HARD TO FIND? It was published on May 14, 2019 and the 50TH anniversary of the Apollo 11 Mission was July 20, 1969. One of the main characters is a fictitious NASA astronaut who took … Read more...
Words: ” We Deny The Existence Of Hazard”
… Read more...“If the Bill of Rights contains no guarantee that a citizen shall be secure against lethal poisons distributed either by private individuals or by public officials, it is surely only because our forefathers, despite their considerable wisdom and foresight, could
Book Review: AMERICAN DIRT by Jeanine Cummins
I am SO fortunate to have gotten my hands on AMERICAN DIRT by Jeanine Cummins in advance of publication (thanks to my book angel). It was THE way to wind down the reading year: to be totally absorbed in a … Read more...
Words: Research Your Own Experience
When ever we seek to make changes for the better, it is helpful to remember there is never only one path, one chance, or one solution. Better is a process. It can only be found as we evaluate and understand … Read more...
Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutouts
I have been making this Christmas Sugar Cookie Cutout recipe since 1986. It is an heirloom recipe brought from Europe and published in The Holidays by cookbook author, John Hadamuscin. The cookie dough is perfect for cutting with traditionally shaped … Read more...
Book Review: THE WOLF IN THE WHALE by Jordanna Max Brodsky
Novels featuring Gods and Goddesses and mythology aren’t generally my go-to. But THE WOLF IN THE WHALE by Jordanna Max Brodsky, admittedly, attracted me based on the native Inuit character, Omat. I have been long fascinated by North American … Read more...
Words: “Never Alone Or Weary Of Life”
Earth sustains us not only in body, but in spirit:
… Read more...“Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever the vexations and concerns of their personal
Happy Labor Day’s 125th Anniversary
As a national holiday, Labor Day turns 125 years old in the US this year.
There was already a legal holiday in September commemorating Labor day in 23 states when President Grover Cleveland signed the national Labor Day legislation into … Read more...
Book Review: DISAPPEARING EARTH by Julia Phillips
When I read the jacket copy for DISAPPEARING EARTH by Julia Phillips, I assumed it was a “who done it,” as the description talked about an ongoing police investigation. I don’t generally gravitate toward missing persons/abduction-type stories; but this … Read more...
Video Escape: Banff National Park Alberta Canada
Banff National Park is in the heart of the Canadian Rockies and is Canada’s first national park. It’s destiny was set with the discovery of a natural hot springs by railway workers in 1883. The highest peak, Mount Forbes is … Read more...
Words: “The Practical Value of Psychology…”
… Read more...
“The practical value of psychology… It is well recognized that the teacher must understand the working of the mind in order best to impart his information in that way that will enable the student to grasp it most readily. It
Book Review: THE MURMUR OF BEES by Sofía Segovia
THE MURMUR OF BEES by Sofía Segovia was among a handful offered as a free e-book by Amazon Crossing, as part of World Book Day in March. Otherwise, it likely would not have been on my radar.
Translated from Spanish, … Read more...
A Popular Italian Dish — Fish in Crazy Water
Have you ever heard of the Italian dish called Acqua Pazza or Fish in Crazy Water?
While the dish originated from fishermen of the Neapolitan area, who sautéed the catch of the day in seawater together with tomatoes and extra … Read more...
Words: “To Be Everywhere At Once Is To Be Nowhere Forever”
In our rush to be and do everything, we rush past so much that maybe small in the moment but huge in a life time.… Read more...
Book Review: CORRAG by Susan Fletcher
Heartbreaking, breathtaking, hopeful… of Jacobites and the fierce loyalty to kings ... and the Glencoe Massacre Read More...
Perspectives: Emergency Room Bills
Important reads!
Book Review: THE GLOVEMAKER by Ann Weisgarber
Pitch-perfect writing ...quite a tale about members of the Mormon community in rugged 1888 Utah. Read More...
Are We More Food Naive Than Food Savvy?
A bit of food for an “April Fools” thought…
Most of us would consider ourselves to be something of a foodie — we take great pleasure in our food and eating. We know where to get the best buffalo wings, … Read more...
Perspectives: Family Dairy Farm
Abe Voelker shares an in-depth and well documented insider's perspective on family farming, Dairy farm & the systemic changes brought by big agra and CAFOs -- a long read with much food for thought and well worth the time!
Book Review: WASHINGTON BLACK by Esi Edugyan
Oh how I loved WASHINGTON BLACK by Esi Edugyan! I was in need of lovely, sensory language and an engaging tale – and perhaps, more so, I was in need of a journey with incredibly rich characters. As the … Read more...
Words: “Be An Intelligent Toiler… “
May we each understand the need, and strive to be, an intelligent toiler…
… Read more...“An infallible test of civilization is that a man claiming to be civilized should be an intelligent toiler, that he should understand the dignity of labor, and
Bring Some Mardi Gras Spirit To Your Dinner Table
Mardi Gras is just around the corner and the Gulf Coast residents have started to prepare for the celebration. Several weeks before, towns across the coast hold Krewe parties, Mardi Gras balls and Krewe parades culminating in the Grand Parade … Read more...