This feels a little, or a lot, personal but so what. It's my blog and I can write what I want. I do need to get back to professional work Monday morning. But. The cliche macro talk currently is about division and (gosh I'm sick of this word) "polarization." Of course that's there. But. People … Continue reading Neighbors

Craving salad bar, hot bar, olive bar, I made my way to Whole Foods Sunday afternoon. Lines of SUVs roping trees onto car tops with the smell of all that Christmas and just simply happy people looking forward to the holiday. There I found a teeny tree wrapped in burlap (over on the left there), … Continue reading Almost New Year, New Planting

Now my very favorite Monty Python sketch (aside from How Not to Be Seen) is Mrs. Premise and Mrs. Conclusion with Graham Chapman and John Cleese playing head-scarfed housewives in the suburban London laundromat impulsively deciding to call up Jean-Paul Sartre (found the Paris phone book while clothing on spin..."we met in Ibiza"...giggling as I … Continue reading Gone To Meet Their Maker

Again, I mean my website to combine professional and personal. Because that's what we all do in real life. This week for book I'm working on just one section on "discourse" about homelessness, inspired by the Austin camping ban. Memoir (Lars Eighner, Travels With Lizbeth, with dog, Austin-based). Film (Wendy and Lucy, with dog, but … Continue reading Off Topic, Two Falcons

A couple of months ago when I exited the bus at Seaholm station, a lone dog was wandering the sidewalk. The driver warned caution, and of course. But the dog didn’t bother me at all, just trotted down the hill to the tent city, causing me no harm and probably bringing a little companionship to … Continue reading Homeless in Austin, And Beyond

Tonight November 8, no one in pool, me reading Patti Smith on a lounge-y thing, beautifully quiet, Austin evening skyline. With sweater of course.. Update November 7. Gorgeous sunny Sunday morning. Kitten Oliver on the windowsill watching dozens of finches perching in the trees below, flicking his tail, entertained. And yesterday I finally cleaned the … Continue reading Tiny More Voluntary Simplicity

I should be writing about commie childrens' literature for the sample chapter of my book (discourse/economic understanding) but it will come when it's ready to come. Rave, huge. My family. All with the fullest, most productive, busy lives possible, still there and generous in every way. Gosh they've had my back. No rave could do … Continue reading Raves, Rants (Because I Don’t Want To Clean The Floor Right Now)

Update October 18, 2021. My Lyft driver asked if I read Camus (I have but only a little, he had read more). He is from Algeria and now finds himself in Austin, Texas. Update sometime in September 2021. Carmen, Lyft driver, who, yes, has seen the opera. Random September day. My driver was a young … Continue reading Lyft Drivers, Still

Would give such a good day, if I could, to anyone. Poolside Hotel Ella...made possible by my lifetime generous parents who've been so good to me...so so so so calm, gurgling water (and eggs brought in the morning, which being me, I could not finish. Poor eater here but trying.) Talked with my Mom, how … Continue reading Again Off Topic I Just Had the Best Birthday

Update September 29, 2021. I am my most happy when at my desk working on book. It's an uphill climb but worth it. Cannot underestimate the soul catcher of purpose. Distractions as everyone also has, but here goes October 2021. Calendar pretty clean, quiet space, up to me to keep to work ritual. Just finished … Continue reading Red Comet, Sylvia Plath