Category Archives: Writing

There is no love of life without despair of life.

Albert Camus died on this day in 1960. Many have wondered over the last 65 years at an odd bit of trivia about that day when he was killed in a car accident. Why did he have an unused train … Continue reading

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For what gives value to travel is fear.

“For what gives value to travel is fear. It breaks down a kind of inner structure we have. One can no longer cheat — hide behind the hours spent at the office or at the plant (those hours we protest … Continue reading

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Time is being

hymn to time :: Ursula K. Le Guin Time says “Let there be” every moment and instantly there is space and the radiance of each bright galaxy. And eyes beholding radiance. And the gnats’ flickering dance. And the seas’ expanse. … Continue reading

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We are moving into a period of bewilderment

“We are moving into a period of bewilderment, a curious moment in which people find light in the midst of despair, and vertigo at the summit of their hopes. It is a religious moment also, and here is the danger. … Continue reading

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What’s Your WOTY

Along with seemingly endless “best of lists of the year” we are also now being offered lots of options for the WOTY (word of the year). The English language seems to provide ample fodder these days with a wealth of … Continue reading

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Holly

Holly by Seamus Heaney. It rained when it should have snowed. When we went to gather hollythe ditches were swimming, we were wet to the knees, our hands were all jags and water ran up our sleeves. There should have … Continue reading

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Magic persists without us

“the Egyptians loved the cat were entombed with it instead of with the women and never with the dog but now here good people with good eyes are very few yet fine cats with great style lounge about in the … Continue reading

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Holiday Cheer

Way back in 1993, the American Beat writer William S. Burroughs wrote and narrated a 21-minute claymation Christmas film which was produced by Francis Ford Coppola. And, as you can well imagine, it’s not your typical smarmy holiday flic. The … Continue reading

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A Never Ending Read

Did you know that there’s a book no one will ever be able to finish reading in their lifetime, and it only has 10 pages? In 1960, the French writer Raymond Queneau introduced what is probably the world’s longest book. … Continue reading

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God Bless Us, Everyone

On this date in 1843, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol. Dickens wrote the novel after his first commercial failure. His previous novel, Martin Chuzzlewit had flopped, and he was suddenly strapped for cash. Martin Chuzzlewit had been satirical and pessimistic, and Dickens … Continue reading

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