Tell me not, in mournful numbers,Life is but an empty dream!For the soul is dead that slumbers,And things are not what they seem. Life is real! Life is earnest!And the grave is not its goal;Dust thou art, to dust returnest,Was not spoken of the soul. Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,Is our destined end or way;But … Continue reading Poetry – “A Psalm of Life”
Words of the Saints: St. John Henry Newman on the Hour of Death
"Well is the hour of death described as the evening. There is something in the evening especially calm and solemn, fitly representing the hour of death. How peculiar, how unlike anything else, is a summer evening, when after the fever and heat of the day, after walking, or after working, after any toil, we cease … Continue reading Words of the Saints: St. John Henry Newman on the Hour of Death
Thoughts on ‘Sing’
The other day I checked out Sing, Illumination’s 2016 animated jukebox musical about anthropomorphic animals trying to save a koala’s theater. Overall, I found it pretty enjoyable. It’s probably not going to be a favorite, but it was fun, uplifting, and made some good use of its premise. The story: Buster Moon is the owner … Continue reading Thoughts on ‘Sing’
Friday Flotsam: Fable World Building, ‘Safety Last’, and Reading
1. A week of little progress and a lot of crashing. As often happens when one loosens the reins after Lent, Brother Ass takes off and goes wild. But on the positive side, he’s gotten a taste of discipline and so bringing him under rein again should be a bit easier than it was in … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Fable World Building, ‘Safety Last’, and Reading
Thought of the Day: Stranger than Fiction
Yesterday at work I learned about a mortgage company called ‘Buy or Refi Financial’ (which is rather like having a store called 'Get Food Grocery'), located in ‘Surprise, AZ.’ Yes, they’re a real company. Doing quite well, as a matter of fact; nearly a full 5-star rating on Google. I can only imagine that they … Continue reading Thought of the Day: Stranger than Fiction
Low-Effort Blogging: The Statler Brothers
The Statler Brothers were not actually brothers named 'Statler'; two of them were brothers named 'Reid' (Harold and Don), while the others weren't related. The name came from a tissue box. But, from what I can gather, they're one of the more revered groups in Gospel and classic Country music. In any case, I really … Continue reading Low-Effort Blogging: The Statler Brothers
The Wolf and the Raven
Interesting little video on the relationship between wolves and ravens, which scientists apparently still don't really understand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAtq1j9yz7w&ab_channel=ProjectDarkWolf Classic animal motifs and pairings can be a powerful storytelling tool, if you know how to use them right. Wolves and ravens, for instance, match the archetypes of the strong, straightforward warrior or hunter and the quick-witted, … Continue reading The Wolf and the Raven
Poetry – Say Not the Struggle Nought Availeth
Say not the struggle nought The labour and the wounds are vain,The enemy faints not, nor faileth,And as things have been they remain. If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;It may be, in yon smoke concealed,Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,And, but for you, possess the field. For while the tired waves, vainly … Continue reading Poetry – Say Not the Struggle Nought Availeth
Words of the Saints: St. Thomas on the Resurrection
We find that many arose from the dead, such as Lazarus [Jn 11:1-44], the son of the widow [Lk 7:11-16], and the daughter of the Ruler of the synagogue [Mk 5:35-43]. But the resurrection of Christ differed from the resurrection of these and of all others in four points. (1) Christ’s resurrection differed from that … Continue reading Words of the Saints: St. Thomas on the Resurrection
Flash Fiction: Lost and Found
The store was a total loss. John had watched all night as his life’s endeavor was consumed in fire, the flames greedily feasting upon the oils and canvases of irreplaceable paintings, while sculptures cracked and shattered in the heat. Now, ignoring the warnings of the firemen, he walked among the sodden ashes of his life. … Continue reading Flash Fiction: Lost and Found
Serpent's Den 