Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Room to Swing

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

It’s always good news when the U.S. Library of Congress announces the release of a reissued classic. The Library of Congress Crime Classics series features some of the finest American crime writing from the 1860s to the 1960s. Drawn from the Library’s … Continue reading →

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Last Orders

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Munich and a little Oktoberfest

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Each year around this time Munich and its Oktoberfest seems to get a bit of attention in the media. I’ve only been to Munich twice and Oktoberfest one time, but I’m a big fan. Ironically, I managed to get an … Continue reading →

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What then do we want words for?

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

“By the Numbers” by Hob Broun [1] THEY WORKED AT THE enclosed mall in King of Prussia. They wore plastic nametags, the corporate logo above a deep groove accommodating a Dymo label. Jenelle for the record store, Courtney for the … Continue reading →

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Take the Train

Posted on October 12, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Those of you who stop by TBTP regularly know that I’m a big fan of public transit and clever transit advertising. The short video below from Denmark ticks all of the boxes and best of all it features a great … Continue reading →

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It’s That Shirley Jackson Time of the Year

Posted on October 11, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Like most U.S. students of my generation I was introduced to the work of Shirley Jackson through her story “The Lottery.” A small town in Vermont is the setting for “The Lottery,” and the town square where the locals gather … Continue reading →

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Mushroom Season

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

MUSHROOMS by Sylvia Plath Overnight, very Whitely, discreetly, Very quietly Our toes, our noses Take hold on the loam, Acquire the air. Nobody sees us, Stops us, betrays us; The small grains make room. Soft fists insist on Heaving the … Continue reading →

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This took me back to childhood

Posted on October 9, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

It’s always a bit serendipitous when one randomly discovers a blog post on a book that transports one right back to childhood.  This copy of ROBIN HOOD by Paul Creswick. (Philadelphia: McKay, 1917), illustrated by N.C. Wyeth, was one of the  volumes … Continue reading →

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What illusions can do to us

Posted on October 8, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

“The Nobel Prize” by Robert Walser translated by Tom Whalen Today, thank God, I’m back in the pink again, which I definitely deserve because I’m a nice person. How was it for me yesterday? I was emotionally ill. Full of … Continue reading →

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write the truest sentence you know

Posted on October 7, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

“Sometimes when I was starting a new story and I could not get it going, I would sit in front of the fire and squeeze the peel of the little oranges into the edge of the flame and watch the … Continue reading →

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