Category Archives: USA

Civil Disobedience

Posted on July 4, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of government, let it go, let it go: perchance it will wear smooth–certainly the machine will wear out… but if it is of such a nature that it … Continue reading →

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Birds of America

Posted on July 2, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

If you’re in Maine, you might want to check out First Fridays at Bowdoin College’s Special Collections Library. On the first Friday of every month, people gather together for a surprise. Some of them have even placed bets on the … Continue reading →

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Hope is a thing with feathers

Posted on June 29, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

“Hope” is the thing with feathers — That perches in the soul — And sings the tune without the words — And never stops — at all — And sweetest — in the Gale — is heard — And sore … Continue reading →

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Dysfunctional Book Club

Posted on June 15, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Badd, Gramm-mar, a comedy series following a dysfunctional reading group in Los Angeles with a rotating cast of comedians that have colliding perspectives, will appear weekly on YouTube on Tuesdays, beginning June 30. The series was created by Matthew Medney, founder … Continue reading →

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Book Machine

Posted on May 11, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Frequent readers of TBTP know that I have a weird interest in vending machines that defies explanation. And, a book vending machine is my nerdy jam. So, Long Story Books, a new indie bookstore slated to open in late summer … Continue reading →

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*Meditations in an Emergency*

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

A poem by Frank O’Hara. It’s the first poem in *Meditations in an Emergency*, 1957: To the Harbormaster I wanted to be sure to reach you; though my ship was on the way it got caught in some moorings. I … Continue reading →

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N is for New York

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Those of you who stop by this site on a regular basis are likely aware of my interest in cities, urban transit and city planning. These subjects don’t suggest a topic for a children’s book, but in 1937 New York … Continue reading →

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NYC People

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Named Streets NYC: This is a neat  – a website showing New York, and specifically giving information about who the people some of its streets are named after were. “This map shows the names and biographical information for streets that … Continue reading →

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Cartography comes to Harlem (apologies to Chester Himes)

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Elmer Simms Campbell is famous for his decades of work as an illustrator for some of the most popular U.S. periodicals, such as Esquire, Playboy, and Cosmopolitan,  during the mid to late 20th century.  In 1939, Campbell became the first … Continue reading →

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“Practice resurrection. Part of who you are is who you will be.”

Posted on February 18, 2026 by Brian D. Butler

Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front by Wendell Berry Love the quick profit, the annual raise, vacation with pay. Want more of everything ready-made. Be afraid to know your neighbors and to die. And you will have a window in … Continue reading →

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