Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

The world is no better than its places.

Posted on September 6, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

A Poem on Hope by Wendell Berry It is hard to have hope. It is harder as you grow old, for hope must not depend on feeling good and there is the dream of loneliness at absolute midnight. You also … Continue reading →

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The First Day

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“On an otherwise unremarkable September morning, long before I learned to be ashamed of my mother, she takes my hand and we set off down New Jersey Avenue to begin my very first day of school.” –“The First Day” from Lost … Continue reading →

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open the window. I’ll take a chance

Posted on September 4, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

In 1931, 5-year-old Mel Brooks saw Frankenstein and refused open his window on a summer night. His mother talked to him: Let’s say you are right. That Frankenstein wants to come here and kill you and eat you. But let’s look at … Continue reading →

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“It takes a train to cry”

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

  Although I reside in the Philadelphia metro area, I frequently use the New Jersey Transit system to travel to New York City. When it works smoothly, the trip is quick, convenient and relatively inexpensive compared to Amtrak. However, NJTransit … Continue reading →

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Knock, Knock

Posted on September 2, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

“Knocking” by Robert Walser translated by Tom Whalen and Carol Gehrig I am completely beat, this head hurts me. Yesterday, the day before yesterday, the day before the day before yesterday, my landlady knocked. “May I know why you are … Continue reading →

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The Relativity of Wrong

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

In the essay below from 1988, the iconic American writer, philosopher, and scientist Isaac Asimov addresses the comforting myth that being ‘wrong’ always means starting from zero, arguing instead that knowledge evolves in degrees rather than absolutes. A wonderful piece … Continue reading →

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Ghosts, Goblins and Samurai

Posted on August 31, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Here he goes again blathering on about Japan. Anyway, I ran across this marvelous title that is resplendent with a series of wonderful illustrations by the British artist Evelyn Paul . The impressive  Myths & Legends of Japan, a guide … Continue reading →

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Summer Reading List

Posted on August 30, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Former President Obama has released his annual summer reading list. On Instagram, he wrote, “Reading has always been an important part of my journey, which is why I couldn’t be more excited that we’ll have a new branch of the … Continue reading →

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Denmark is saving bookshops and inspiring readers

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently shocked to see many news stories about the dramatic decline in literacy in Denmark. Surveys have shown that reading skills of the nation’s children were in a steep decline. According to the New York Times, the Denmark’s … Continue reading →

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History will vindicate us

Posted on August 28, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

 

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