I don't know that anyone can read both Nicholas Nickelby and Pride and Prejudice without comparing the maternal figures featured in each. In the cozy, but substantial niche of "embarrassingly foolish mothers," these two reign supreme as the most prominent and perhaps most troublesome. But the question remains; which one is worse? For my part, … Continue reading Maternal Loadstones: Mrs. Nickelby vs. Mrs. Bennet
Fantastic Schools Vol. 8 Now Live!
I am shamefully behind hand on this (the release happened right in the middle of my move), but I am pleased to announce that Fantastic Schools vol. 8, featuring a story by your servant, is now live and available for purchase: Some of you may remember Fantastic Schools vol. 2 from back in 2021, featuring … Continue reading Fantastic Schools Vol. 8 Now Live!
Poetry – “In the Neolithic Age”
In the Neolithic Age savage warfare did I wageFor food and fame and woolly horses' pelt.I was singer to my clan in that dim, red Dawn of Man,And I sang of all we fought and feared and felt. Yea, I sang as now I sing, when the Prehistoric springMade the piled Biscayan ice-pack split and … Continue reading Poetry – “In the Neolithic Age”
Saturday Flotsam: More Moving, More Dickens, No More Newhart
1. Now that my furniture has arrived (mostly) safe and sound, my new apartment is feeling much homier. One of the 'fragile' boxes got squashed and I lost a few dishes, and one of my small bookshelves got destroyed, but other than that everything seems to have come through in proper working order and it's … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: More Moving, More Dickens, No More Newhart
Some Further Thoughts on ‘Oliver Twist’
One doesn't really review Charles Dickens, any more than one 'reviews' a waterfall. Dickens has achieved a status beyond mere likes or dislikes, critique and praise. It is not a question of whether Dickens is any good, so much as it is a question of how he strikes you. As for Oliver Twist, I would … Continue reading Some Further Thoughts on ‘Oliver Twist’
Poem – “To One Who has Been Long in City Pent”
To one who has been long in city pent'Tis very sweet to look into the fairAnd open face of heaven, - to breathe a prayerFull in the smile of the blue firmament.Who is more happy, when, with heart's content,Fatigued he sinks into some pleasant lairOf wavy grass, and reads a debonairAnd gentle tale of love … Continue reading Poem – “To One Who has Been Long in City Pent”
Friday Flotsam: Moving Cross Country, History in the Making, and Dickens
1. Well, this was certainly a week. For those who are just joining us, last weekend I moved cross-country, from Michigan to Arizona to take up a teaching post. It was three days' driving, and a chance to see more of the country than I yet have. The route took us, among other things, right … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Moving Cross Country, History in the Making, and Dickens
Bonus Thought of the Day: Science Says
My typical reaction to talk of, shall we say, socio-politically-relevant scientific findings - e.g. 'studies' related to modernist sexual practices, or race, or atmospheric alteration or the like - is as follows: "It's not so much that I think you're wrong or lying or that your data is false or anything of the sort. It's … Continue reading Bonus Thought of the Day: Science Says
Thursday Flotsam: Moving, Politics, and Bueller
1. Tomorrow I leave for the desert of 48, so this week's flotsam comes a day early. 2. Yesterday was moving (out) day, when men came to cart all my worldly goods off into a truck. It also just so happened to be the day that Michigan was hit by the tail-end of a hurricane. … Continue reading Thursday Flotsam: Moving, Politics, and Bueller
Poetry – “An American”
Sing of my ancestors!Sing of them with pride!Sing of fair America,Green prairies and blue tide!One was born in County Cork!Hail the shamrock green!(One was named AbrahamSimeon Levine.)One held rule in Dundee,Friend of the Montrose.(One sold nuts and applesWhere the river Tiber flows.)One drank ale in Devonshire,One scaled Lomond's crags.(One grew up in WarsawAnd peddled clothes … Continue reading Poetry – “An American”
Serpent's Den 