“The message is that all things are connected. We have animal aspects, anthropological aspects, plant-animal aspects.”~John Dee English mathematician, astronomer, teacher, astrologer, occultist, and alchemist John Dee was born on this day in 1527.
Measure of a Friend
The bells of Dunmere had once rung for weddings, harvests, and the crowning of kings. Now they rang whenever another wall gave way. Mara counted the chimes without looking up from the cracked bowl she was mending. One. Two. Three. By the fourth, the neighbors had already begun shouting. By the fifth, dust drifted from … Continue reading Measure of a Friend
Random Quote for July 11, 2026
“Great wealth took possession of the government. It was reflected in Mr. Harding’s selection of a cabinet.”~George William Norris American politician George William Norris was born on this day in 1861.
Random Quote for July 10, 2026
“You are the stars and the world is watching you. By your presence, you send a message to every village, every city, every nation. A message of hope. A message of victory.”~Eunice Kennedy Shriver American philanthropist Eunice Kennedy Shriver was born on this day in 1921.
Random Quote for July 09, 2026
“The task of the media in a democracy is not to ease the path of those who govern, but to make life difficult for them by constant vigilance as to how they exercise the power they only hold in trust from the people.”~Jimmy Reid Scottish trade union activist, orator, politician, and journalist Jimmy Reid was … Continue reading Random Quote for July 09, 2026
Random Quote for July 08, 2026
“American teens have the worst of all worlds … Our children are bombarded and confronted with sexual messages, sexual exploitation, and all manner of sexual criticism. But our society is by and large sexually illiterate.”~Faye Wattleton American reproductive rights activist Faye Wattleton was born on this day in 1943.
Random Quote for July 07, 2026
“We have become the charnel house of the Western World.”~William Kunstler American attorney and civil rights activist William Kunstler was born on this day in 1919.
Random Quote for July 06, 2026
“Don’t look for society to give you permission to be yourself.”~Roger Babson American entrepreneur, Georgist economist, and business theorist Roger Babson was born on this day in 1875.
The United States and Independence
Yesterday was the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Truth be told, First Reader and I really didn’t feel up to “celebrating” that sovereign milestone with all that’s happening in our country. We stayed home, cleaned house, did yard work, and ate leftovers. A typical suburban Saturday (not that I live in the … Continue reading The United States and Independence
Random Quote for July 04, 2026
“I have come to believe there is nothing in the lives of human beings more terrifying than war and nothing more important than for those of us who have experienced it to share its awful truth.”~Ron Kovic American anti-war activist, author, and US Marine Corps Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic was born on this day in … Continue reading Random Quote for July 04, 2026
J.J. Shaun 