Currently Browsing: Random Thoughts 192 articles
The Puzzle of Starbuck
Look, I’ve read Melville’s “Moby Dick” three times in my life—I’m not about to read it again. But that doesn’t mean I stop thinking about it. Growing up all I could think about was Queequeg, his coffin, his ability to see what was coming, sort of. Lately I can’t stop thinking about another character: Starbuck. […]
A Look Back at the Early Days of the Pandemic
Journals remind us of things. They provide a look back. They can be a great record of the events of our lives. They provide a look back, in this instance, to the early days of the Pandemic. The Digital Armageddon I’m going through since February 2, 2021 has resulted in some losses of data—I need […]
In Context—Books I’ve Been Reading
I’ve been downsizing my library, so I have been spending my free-time in the past year rereading books before I give them away. Here’s a character’s take on crime-novel reading. I have my own theories on the popularity of mysteries and crime fiction. And of course on my own readership of those genres. But hey, […]
In Context—Brush Pen Sketch and Memories
With luck we’ll have an early spring and I’ll be out on the bike path again soon. But here’s an in-context page spread from one of my 2019 journals.
Something from 2020’s Journal: Cooking
I’ve always enjoyed cooking shows. I put it down to seeing Graham Kerr (“The Galloping Gourmet”) when I was young. And of course Julia Child. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t allowed in the kitchen when I was a child—unless I wanted to make my tuna and rice “snack” which is still my comfort food today. […]
In Context: Acceptance
This is from my 5 x 8 inch or so Hand•Book Watercolor Journal I was carrying in my purse at the time. I was sitting in the eye doctor’s office for the umpteenth time, sketching people in line at the counter as I wanted for my appointment. (I am fascinated by winter coats and so […]
What Kind of a Wise Ass Are You?
Look, I’m known as a bit of a wise-ass. No, let’s be honest, I’m a total-wise-ass-pain-in-the-butt-[expletive-deleted]. As such I really respond well to the wise-assery of others. Ryan Reynolds’ movie characters are a particular favorite of mine. Reynolds has the untrainable ability to talk fast, clear, and sassy while still pushing a plot line forward. […]
Killer Mike Says It Best…
“Plot, Plan, Strategize, Organize, Mobilize,” Killer Mike On May 25, 2020 George Floyd was murdered by four policeman. You can watch a video tape on online of the final nine minutes of his life. You can read the New York Times reconstruction of the murder here. Because this killing happened in my home town I […]
In Context: Downsizing My Book Collection
If you click on today’s image you’ll be able to read the text, but depending on your screen size it may be difficult so I’ve transcribed it here, a little “in context leisure reading” for today. (Brush pen warm ups in a Hahnemühle Travel Journal.) My musing ended as you see it, with no conclusions. […]
In Context—Philosophical Questions Arising from Watching Perry Mason
I think this page spread text pretty much says it all. (From my cataract recuperation journals.) What are television shows telling us about their historical time periods? This one is pretty obvious.