The first day in Paris featured several outdoor mini-concerts, the first at the Eiffel Tower, the second occurring among the swirl of an outdoor music festival organized by the French government. The rationale of our visit to France is the opportunity for performances by the Fox Valley Festival Chorus. The often mention in the…
Contrary to the expectationsof 19th century radicals, religion hasnot gone away–perhaps we’d be better off if it had–but instead has increased in power,seemingly in proportion to the global increasein the realm of technology& rational control. Both fundamentalism& the New Agederive some forcefrom deep & widespread dissatisfactionwith the System that works againstall perception of the…
Yesterday, Memorial Day I went for an unplanned walk by the Fox River. Noting that the Creamery ice cream shop was crowded to capacity, a short walk along the river would allow families with children to be served. After my walk I would return for a scoop of chocolate ice cream. The Fox River…
Monday morning brings a look-back, memories of the weekend. Several events remain vivid in mind. We enjoyed breakfast once again at Daddio’s Diner. The dining room is compact, bustling with patrons, griddle-man, and several waitstaff. We found two seats at the counter opposite the griddle. Hash brown potatoes are cooking at the back of…
Yesterday was dedicated to sorting more than several thousand photos captured in 2024. The files are archived from the iphone to this laptop. Moments in time were photographed in response to an undefined sense in my body. “Right here and right now ‘this’ penetrates more deeply than I can know,…” Or even, “has meaning,…
As intended, I made a fire at nightfall on the winter solstice. The family left the warmth of the house to see the fire that by itself cut the frost of the night. I made the fire as a memorial of sorts for those who might have been with us, my parents, the grandmother…
Nietzsche is interested in the ideal of the ancient Greeks, “all things in moderation.” The Greeks were as human as any 21st century homo sapien. Ideals serve as coordinates that we attempt to follow, albeit the inadequacy of our character, or skill, or resources. In contradistinction to the Greeks we Americans make no attempt…
References to the macabre are hyperbole it seems to me, in relation to our Halloween. American kids look forward to scoring a bagful of free candy treats while thinly disguised in the costume of choice. Halloween is by no means as comparably serious as the Dia de Muertos in Mexico that features offerings to…
On Sunday, two days ago I took the opportunity to visit the track for a final time for this year. It is mid fall. Soon the temps will fall, warm days will become a memory. Drag racing is a fair weather activity, ideal for summertime. Direct sunlight, heat, make asphalt lanes treated with traction…
Fall approaches, as does the general election. Given the division within the country, the stoking of alarm, no doubt many feel that we are on a slippery slope. No one can know what the future will be. Our insecurity prompts us to seek what is base, dishonorable, – to be defensive minded. I think…
