Category Archives: Uncategorized

NYC FYI

Posted on September 1, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

One of the biggest mistakes that visitors to New York City can make is choosing to stay in the wrong neighborhood. Although the city has a great public transit system, it can be slow, confusing, and quite inconvenient. The very … Continue reading →

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Train dreams

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

“On the Train” by Gene Wolfe When I look out the window, the earth seems to have become liquid, rushing to flow over a falls that is always just behind the last car. Wherever that may be. The telephone poles … Continue reading →

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“Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week”

Posted on August 30, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Here is a great read by BBC on Finland’s libraries where you can borrow everything from sewing machines to tennis rackets to podcast studios. 55% of Finns visit at least once a month and libraries are legally required to promote democracy. They … Continue reading →

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Devotion of Suspect X

Posted on August 27, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Keigo Higashino, a bestselling Japanese mystery writer whose works were widely translated, died July 23 at age 68, the New York Times reported. Higashino published more than 100 titles, many of which were adapted into movies in Japan and abroad. His final … Continue reading →

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To be hopeful in bad times

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

“To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in … Continue reading →

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Lately, the weather aches

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

TRULY PATHETIC Neal Bowers Lately, the weather aches; the air is short of breath, and morning stumbles in, stiff-jointed. Day by day, the sun bores the sky, until the moon begins its tiresome disappearing act, making the oceans yawn. Even … Continue reading →

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The line between the magical and the real disappears in a story

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

“Consider Scheherazade, whose name meant “city-born” and who was without a doubt a big-city girl, crafty, wisecracking, by turns sentimental and cynical, as contemporary a metropolitan narrator as one could wish to meet. Scheherazade, who snared the prince in her … Continue reading →

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Sunday, Someday ?

Posted on August 23, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

🐱 Artful Cats: This collection of cat-inspired art and artifacts from across the Smithsonian is a truly delightful set to browse through. Paintings, sketches, ceramics, centuries of artists who just couldn’t resist drawing cats. You could easily lose an hour in here. … Continue reading →

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Rotterdam Rocks

Posted on August 21, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Rotterdam Rocks (image above & below) is the winning proposal for a landmark on the banks of the river Maas. Designed by MVRDV for The Shift Embassy whose aim is to raise public awareness of the climate crisis. It is a 30,000 … Continue reading →

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A writer’s needs

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Brian D. Butler
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