1. A blessed Feast of the Sacred Heart, and month of the Sacred Heart! This is one of my favorite devotions, partly on its own merits, partly because of its associations (though of course, these are not unrelated). What is the heart? It is the core of a man, the source of life, the seat … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Sacred Heart, Fr. Kapaun, More Japan
Poetry – “The Wood”
They cut it down, and where the pitch-black aislesOf forest night had hid eternal things,They scal’d the sky with tow’rs and marble pilesTo make a city for their revellings. White and amazing to the lands aroundThat wondrous wealth of domes and turrets rose;Crystal and ivory, sublimely crown’dWith pinnacles that bore unmelting snows. And through its … Continue reading Poetry – “The Wood”
Thought of the Day: Appearance
In any popular or democratic system, appearance is more important than reality.
Friday Flotsam: Fruit of Wisdom, Some (General) Political Thoughts
1. Still in Maine, though the siblings have all gone home, save for the ones who are home here. I'm staying on until next week, since who knows when I'll be up here next? 2. One common thread in all the wisest men I've read is this: you should not allow yourself to worry over … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Fruit of Wisdom, Some (General) Political Thoughts
At the Everyman: The Battle to Stop Killing Games
My first piece in a while is up at The Everyman, giving a rundown of Ross Scott's efforts to end the practice of killing games: In summary, video game companies are destroying the products that they have previously sold to their customers without providing any compensation. One does not have to be a gamer to … Continue reading At the Everyman: The Battle to Stop Killing Games
Poem – “March of the Deathless Dead”
Gather the sacred dustOf the warriors tried and true,Who bore the flag of our People's trustAnd fell in a cause, though lost still justAnd died for me and you. Gather them one and all!From the Private to the Chief,Come they from hovel or princely hall,They fell for us, and for them should fallThe tears of … Continue reading Poem – “March of the Deathless Dead”
Friday Flotsam: Various Thoughts and Grover Cleveland
1. Most modern social and psychological commentary and scholarship gives me the impression of attending a high-level film-studies class given by Uwe Boll; a complacent, confident assumption that you know what is right, delivered from atop a pile of unmitigated failure. 2. It occurred to me last night that I find the news repulsive. Not … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Various Thoughts and Grover Cleveland
Poetry – “Not Yet, My soul”
Not yet, my soul, these friendly fields desert,Where thou with grass, and rivers, and the breeze,And the bright face of day, thy dalliance hadst;Where to thine ear first sang the enraptured birds;Where love and thou that lasting bargain made.The ship rides trimmed, and from the eternal shoreThou hearest airy voices; but not yetDepart, my soul, … Continue reading Poetry – “Not Yet, My soul”
Saturday Flotsam
1. I seem to be missing Friday Flotsams quite a bit lately. These are confusing times. 2. My first year of teaching has officially concluded in a chaotic rush of a 'center cleaning day'. It was truly a life-changing experience, and I've learned an enormous amount even in a single year. I feel that, at … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam
The End of an Era
Roger Corman, the King of the B-Movies, has passed away on May 9, 2024 at the ripe age of 98, and with him has died an entire epoch of film making. It would take a book - a multi-volume book - to fully describe Corman's career and impact on the film industry. He produced his … Continue reading The End of an Era
Serpent's Den 