Author Archives: jackscribe458
Salad
The last couple of weeks dissolved in the acid bath of poor weather, people being sick and having emergencies (how dare they?), and the school schedule. The upshot is that garden clean up ceased entirely, and won’t resume until the … Continue reading
Tea Time
Unexpected computer debility prevented the usual Friday outgassing. While most important files were backed up, some were not. Full speed ahead, now. I have reached the Mines of Moria, narrowly escaping the crabby Watcher. At the Council of Elrond last … Continue reading
Table Talk February 24, 2017
About half way through the Council of Elrond, moving slowly. My first readings echo. I think I first became aware of this book when I saw the Ace edition at the check out line in a Kresge’s store, so 1965. … Continue reading
Farrago February 17, 2017
I have reached by slow stages Weathertop, though it is not yet night. Having long ago concluded that neither major candidate was fit for any office whatsoever, I’m sort of enjoying the spectacle that President Trump is generating around him. … Continue reading
The Miscellany February 10, 2017
When a public official begins a statement “It is an indisputable fact that (fill in the blank),” prepare for lies. I have begun rereading The Lord of the Rings for the first time in many years. The first readings engraved … Continue reading
Inauguration Day
I think I’ll get a haircut first. A curiosity of this curious presidential transition is that so many folks invest affection amounting to adoration in Mr. Obama, and dislike amounting to hatred in Mr. Trump. The President of the United … Continue reading
Transition
Conservatives – “Grandpa, what’s a conservative?” “Oh, you know, our natural rights, free market economy, balanced budget, small government, Federalism as originally conceived, a few other things. Not Yosemite Sam in KKK robes.” “Grandpa, what’s KKK?” “I hope you never … Continue reading
Morning People
People who sleep late miss glorious sights. This morning’s sun rose in a pool of gold, lighting a fleet of clouds with yellow fire on their eastern edge. Spectacular and lovely and full of grace, if you were there to … Continue reading
Fidel Castro Dies
Remember this, eulogists: Krushchev to Castro: In your cable of October 27 you proposed that we be the first to carry out a nuclear strike against the enemy’s territory. Naturally you understand where that would lead us. It would not … Continue reading
Begone!
The presidential election recently concluded gave us curmudgeons the rare pleasure of being grumpy no matter the outcome. The contest between knaves and fools was unique that way.* I get to say for the next four years (or until he … Continue reading
Premodern Ramblings 