Through recent engaging conversation with Andrew Ivers at the Courtesy Diner, I became re-interested in Joan Didion, whose book The Year of Magical Thinking I read when it came out. Andrew has agreed to share…
[T]oday it is not nearly enough to be a saint, but we must have the saintliness demanded by the present moment, a new saintliness, itself also without precedent.—Simone Weil, Waiting for God For [Dorothy] Day,…
Born in 1873, Thérèse of Lisieux entered into this world as the youngest daughter of a devout Catholic family. By the time she passed away at the age of twenty-four, Thérèse was a Carmelite nun…
It pleases me to read and to share this compilation by my friend Andrew Ivers, Pieces of Proust!
Old age ain’t for sissies. –Ida, via George, personal acquaintance
For Jim Grote, who introduced me in my late twenties to the work of Rene Girard, whom I am still reading, especially through three recent works by Cynthia L. Haven. Girard’s ideas inspire, humble, energize,…
For Dr. Erin Nealon, who introduced me to Jojo [Jonathan Richman] circa early 2000. Even right now as I write this, I’ve got That Summer Feeling… We still need more parties in the USA.
This is a tough time. As the election approaches, our collective psyche is berated with polarized messages amid widespread lack of faith in the political system of the United States. Surviving the next five months…
Andrew Ivers continues to guide me when it comes to the delights of the Western Canon. Last week I asked him where I should start with Joan Didion and without hesitation he suggested Slouching towards…
I swore an oath of eternal brotherhood with Yuan-ruo, and pledged him my everlasting allegiance, as an expression of my lifelong loyalty to him. Chinese people have always treated their friends with this sort of…