Category Archives: Uncategorized

George Fairbairn, Turtle Master

I have recently taken a shine to a character in Russell Hoban’s old (1975) novel, Turtle Diary. George Fairbairn is the keeper of the turtles at the Aquarium in London and potentially the antagonist of Naeara H and William G, … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Name of Mary’s Husband

Many years ago, I stumbled across Raymond E. Brown’s book, The Birth of the Messiah. I learned a lot of carefully detailed things, such as the dilemma that the Greek kai—which usually means “and”—might, in this instance mean “but rather.” … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

An Exercise in Problem Solving

“Truth, Justice, and the American Way” is apparently a Superman tag line. I have heard said only for the ironic flavor it conveys. There are people who would pause thoughtfully or even cynically at “the American Way,” but who is … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Reading the Hard Way

There are so many reasons to like Elizabeth Bennet. In Chapter 13 of Pride and Prejudice, she faces a very tough opponent. Her prejudice. [1] She is reading a letter from a man [Darcy] who has shown only contempt for … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Transparency and Accountability

I have learned to shy away from expressions like “whatever it takes.” When it is dropped into a drama at just the right place and is said in just the right way by just the right person, it sounds pretty … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Columbus Day. Again.

I missed Columbus Day again this year. I had to go online to find out if it is still a recognized event. I’ll bet there are still come places in the U. S. that celebrate Columbus Day, possibly places where … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Why there is no such word as “illability.”

Some years ago, I had a discussion with my son, Doug, about the kind of seating one might want in the front seat of a car. He said he preferred bucket seats because they help maintain stability. I’m sure he … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

Anertia

A fairly high proportion of the people who read this blog like words. Not just the efficient or elegant use of words, but also the words themselves. I understand that; I am like that myself To those people, I offer … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

Identifying with Nicodemus

Identification—who or what you identify with—is a major determinant of how things seem to you. Everybody knows that. It would seem obvious, then, that changing “who you identify with,” would produce big changes in how you understand what you see … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

What are school boards for?

If you look at an ordinary school district, you see the professional providers organized in the expected way. That’s what the “professional” part provides. The teachers are the subject matter experts and the de facto social workers. The administrators organize … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment