Monday, March 09, 2026
On Magazines
Wow! So many haiku about magazines. Like this one from Des (I did not know there was a "Dog World"):
What’s a Saluki?
An Azawakh? The answer
was found in Dog World!
An Azawakh? The answer
was found in Dog World!
And Sleepy Walleye, I get it!:
Willing to pay for
The New Yorker subscription
Just to get Roz Chast
The New Yorker subscription
Just to get Roz Chast
I loved this anonymous entry:
Harper’s Bazaar
On my grandmother’s table
Such glamorous clothes!
On my grandmother’s table
Such glamorous clothes!
IPLawGuy had this:
Before I could read
Would study Life Magazine
To understand "life."
Would study Life Magazine
To understand "life."
And this:
Next, Time Magazine
summaries of the week's news
Insightful columns.
summaries of the week's news
Insightful columns.
And this (It's true-- IPLG's mom was a trailblazing editor at US News):
Then Mom got a job
U.S. News and World Report
Serious, sober.
U.S. News and World Report
Serious, sober.
And this:
Teen to young adult,
I read National Lampoon!
Yearbook! Newspaper!
I read National Lampoon!
Yearbook! Newspaper!
And this:
R. Emmet Tyrrell
American Spectator
was once relevant.
American Spectator
was once relevant.
Fred Barnes, Bill Kristol
Weekly Standard, serious
and great book reviews.
Weekly Standard, serious
and great book reviews.
While anonymous remembered this:
Black/white photographs
Glamour girls,presidents,sports—
Life in America.
Glamour girls,presidents,sports—
Life in America.
Sunday, March 08, 2026
Sunday Reflection: Not on the mountain, or in Jerusalem...
In John 4, Jesus has the longest conversation in the Gospels: his discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well. There is a lot going on there, but I want to talk about this part of the discussion:
The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet. 20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
This exchange sometimes gets forgotten in larger discussions of this passage, but it has always meant a lot to me. When I was young, people told me that we encounter God in church, but that never seemed right to me. Rather, it seemed that what happened in church was that we encountered each other while seeking God, which is profoundly different. My Holy Spirit moments, those glimpses of the divine, are (at least for me) rarely during a church service.
I believe that we are meant to worship communally, and I have always been a church-goer. But I have never given the speakers at church--Priests and Ministers-- a status of anything beyond fellow traveler. Certainly, there is a lot to learn from fellow travelers! But... God is in church and out of church and in the most unlikely places.
What Jesus said marked a breaking point from traditional Judaism, too, where many of the Mosaic laws involved actions at the Temple, and for whom there was the very real belief of God's actual and constant presence there. How transgressive, then, was what Jesus said!
And transgressive Jesus, who opens up the world to us, is the at the heart of my faith.
Saturday, March 07, 2026
Pretty good compilation!
This made me want to see all of these movies. Except "Beaches." That looks terrible.
Friday, March 06, 2026
Haiku Friday: Magazines we loved
For many of us, at some point in our lives there was a magazine we waited for with eager anticipation-- then read from cover to cover once it had arrived. Let's haiku about those this week! Here, I will go first:
Brilliant, smart and bold
Oh how I miss the writing:
The Wittenberg Door.
Now it is your turn! Just use the 5/7/5 syllable pattern and have some fun....
Thursday, March 05, 2026
PMT: What Happens Next?
After days of bombing raids and some scattershot responses by Iran, it appears that the war in the Middle East is going to go on for a while. So... how does it end? Here are some possibilities:
-- It could just peter out. After a while, the US and Israel could declare that they achieved their objectives (an easy thing to do since they haven't done a very good job of describing those objectives) and stop bombing Iran. That would leave some version of the current regime in place, most likely.
-- It could also be that Iran gets carved up. Already, it appears that Kurdish forces armed by the CIA will try to claim land in the Northwest of the country. Other minority groups or regions may claim territory as well. In this scenario, the current regime would remain, but with a smaller footprint.
-- There could be a military effort that actually does cause regime change. This would most likely involve ground troops, and could be a protracted war, even after a new government is installed by the invaders. This brings real dangers of destabilization.
-- Perhaps most scary is that something bad and unexpected happens at a big scale: Say, Russia gets involved on the side of Iran, or Iran uses some of its nuclear material to make and use a "dirty bomb."
Of course, if there is one thing history has proven, it is that we are terrible at predicting what will happen in that part of the world....
Wednesday, March 04, 2026
People who give us hope: Voters
I love voting. It feels like a spiritual experience, to stand in line with my neighbors to pick our leaders. That is the moment that I feel most American.
People in our country make great sacrifices to vote: they stand out in the rain, they tough it out when the lines are long, they sort through pages of choices. And, of course, it matters.
The primaries yesterday were fascinating-- more on that tomorrow-- but for today let's just appreciate the great privilege we have when we go to the polls. In the end, once again, it is how we will save ourselves.
Tuesday, March 03, 2026
The Obvious Question: Where is this headed?
From 1978 to 1992, the Soviet Union waged war in Afghanistan, trying to create a stable and friendly nation on its border. They failed, and what emerged was the Taliban.
In 2003, the US invaded Iraq. We were there until 2011. What emerged was ISIS, which controlled much of the nation by 2015.
I haven't heard about a plan for who will govern Iraq if the current government is removed, and the dangers are real-- we may create a lingering instability that leads to forces even more dangerous to our interests.
I'm not saying that will happen-- but I do worry that we have not heard about a plan for something better.
Monday, March 02, 2026
On those rare delights...
So many good poems this week on the topic of rare pleasures-- those treats we allow ourselves only once in a while! My mom had a great one (and I am not the son referred to):
Son made sourdough bread.
Siren song of delicious
crustiness calls me.
Siren song of delicious
crustiness calls me.
And Sleepy Walleye came to visit:
Bacon, egg and cheese
On a buttery croissant
Cholesterol treat.
On a buttery croissant
Cholesterol treat.
Craig A has a Boston-style vision:
A cup of Dunkin’
Coffee with a warm Blueberry
Muffin - gotta love!
Coffee with a warm Blueberry
Muffin - gotta love!
And Desiree is thinking road trip:
Marshmallow outside,
pink, chocolate joy. Snowballs!
For road trips only.
pink, chocolate joy. Snowballs!
For road trips only.
Christine got the memo:
Wow, only a third
That box is calling my name
Nom, nom... Krispy Kreme.
That box is calling my name
Nom, nom... Krispy Kreme.
And Anonymous chimed in:
From Antarctic Ice
Her sweet song summons,”Devour!”
Chocolate coma.
Her sweet song summons,”Devour!”
Chocolate coma.
And then Christine again (and just as good):
A rare indulgence
coffeecake catches my eye
Ate the entire cake
Raspberry filling
and gooey icing drizzled
Atop, heavenly.
coffeecake catches my eye
Ate the entire cake
Raspberry filling
and gooey icing drizzled
Atop, heavenly.
Sunday, March 01, 2026
Sunday Reflection: Being Born
The terminology of being "born again" is found in John 3:
3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9
It's intriguing to me how Jesus describes this experience: That it being inhabited by the Holy Spirit. And also what it allows: to see the kingdom of God.
In other words, we can choose to feel the wind of the Holy Spirit, to acknowledge that we are humble before God, and that lets us truly see the world. To put it another way, we don't see fully what is around us until we stop pretending that we know and understand everything. Age has let me see the wisdom of this; I've learned that if I want to understand something, I have to begin with mystery, not certainty.
Saturday, February 28, 2026
The Ultimate TV Crossover
Friday, February 27, 2026
Haiku Friday: Rare delights
All of us have things we allow ourselves only once in a while-- perhaps because it is expensive, or unhealthy, or dangerous. We give in, now and then, and it's so good. Let's haiku about that this week. Here, I will go first:
The box of donuts
Calls to me from the break room
I slice off one third...
Now it is your turn! Just use the 5/7/5 syllable pattern and have some fun!
Thursday, February 26, 2026
PMT: The One Good Idea
I could ramble on for a while about the State of the Union Address-- there was a lot going on there, and a lot of it was divisive, untrue, and/or just weird stuff for the President to be thinking about. Still, I gave myself the challenge of finding a good idea in all of this, and I did.
The plan to bar investment companies from buying up swaths of single-family homes to convert to rentals is a good one. Home ownership is a remarkable source of generational wealth, and previous administrations have encouraged home ownership (sometimes a little too enthusiastically-- ie, see the 2009 subprime mortgage crisis).
It's not a particularly conservative idea-- it limits free market actors-- but still a good one. So there's that!
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Did you see the State of the Union address?
Yeah, me too. In response here are some cat videos (including one where the cat drinks from a toilet- yuck!)
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Art and Resistance
This winter in Minneapolis, there has been a lot to see amid the resistance to ICE, and some of it has been a remarkable outpouring of art. Songs from Springsteen and U2 (above) got press, but on the ground here the wealth of imagination flooded to the surface. There were murals and songs and the brilliance of signs made with markers and cardboard.
I hope that this flourishing of resistance art continues: that there are plays and songs and short stories and more. We need it-- and so does the rest of America.
Monday, February 23, 2026
Hygge and haiku
How great to hear from Sleepy Walleye-- and so true!:
Danes are not so keen
On Trump’s Greenland ambitions
“No hygge for you! “
On Trump’s Greenland ambitions
“No hygge for you! “
And CraigA:
Love reading good book
In front of our gas fireplace
On chilly mornings.
In front of our gas fireplace
On chilly mornings.
Des had dog thoughts:
Doggie on my lap.
Dog by my side. Dog by my
feet. Three dog hygge.
Dog by my side. Dog by my
feet. Three dog hygge.
As did Anonymous:
Soft pillows on couch
Candles, plants and twinkly lights
Friendly dog by fire.
Candles, plants and twinkly lights
Friendly dog by fire.
And this other Anonymous:
Meadow wears white gown
The fire and scotch beckon, then
Tony Bennett croons.
The fire and scotch beckon, then
Tony Bennett croons.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Sunday Reflection: The deepest temptation
Last week, Jesus went to a mountaintop and was praised by God. This week, he goes to the desert and encounters the devil:
1Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; 9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
I guess it shouldn't surprise us that Jesus doesn't do what the devil wants. But what intrigues me is that Jesus and the devil go to Jerusalem together! Then they are on the pinnacle of the Temple, looking down, as Jesus declines the invitation to cast himself from that high place. That temptation isn't like the others: the first offers food to a famished man, and the last offers riches. But the middle one... all that is offered there is the opportunity to prove himself, with no explicit pay-off.
Somehow, that seems like the deepest temptation of all: to prove ourselves to others, to try to impress them with our talents or knowledge-- to have people marvel at our abilities and accomplishments. Who doesn't want that? But the message here, a hard one, is that seeking adulation is not the way of Christ.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
It's my birthday!
Friday, February 20, 2026
Haiku Friday: Hygge
"Hygge" is a Danish word for the idea of creating a warm, inviting atmosphere-- probably the best American equivalent is the way we use the word "cozy." This time of year, it is pretty important as a survival tool in northern climes, as winter drags on.
So let's haiku about that this week! Here, I will go first:
Wood fire warmth, cider
The long, low light over snow
Happy indoor cat.
Now it is your turn. Just use the 5/7/5 syllable pattern, and have some fun!
Thursday, February 19, 2026
PMT: Iran, again?
News outlets are reporting that the United States has positioned naval and air forces for a potential strike against Iran, probably directed at Iran's nuclear facilities (again- this happened already back in June of last year). The strike is likely to be coordinated with Israel, and would happen in the context of civil unrest and mass protests against the Iranian leaders.
Some commentators are urging caution. Military strikes always bring great risk, and there may be a sense of over-confidence after the success of the Venezuela strikes only a few months ago. Iran is in a dangerous neighborhood (see above), and capable of sophisticated technology and tactics; it was Iranian drones that largely changed the trajectory of the Ukraine-Russia war.
It could be that the positioning of forces is, at least in part, a negotiating tactic-- and there is no doubt that a negotiated outcome would be best.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
People who give us hope: Norway
Yes, they are great at the Winter Olympics-- they lead in medal total, despite being a nation of only about 5.5 million, which is a little less than the state of Minnesota.
But what really impresses me right now is that they are taking the Epstein files seriously, and there have been consequences for supporting a known pedophile. Thorbjorn Jagland, the former Prime Minister of Norway, has been charged with "gross corruption" after details emerged of his activities with Jeffrey Epstein, which included connecting Epstein to international figures. Meanwhile, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is facing intense criticism as well, after the 1,000+ mentions of her in the Epstein files show a relationship that went on long after Epstein was convicted of child sex offenses.
So, you go, Norway!
