Uncategorized 1483

“…and when anything needs doing it ought not to be left undone, whether it be day or night. There are occasions when a householder should rise while it is still…

This piece argues that the state of religion in the U.S. can be partially explained through the decline in traditional Catholic weddings. Meanwhile, this article describes efforts to support local textiles…

The M.F.A. program in Creative Writing at the University of Notre Dame has just published an interview with me as part of its alumni series.  There, I get to reflect…

This piece laments the loss of quiet in a technological age. Meanwhile, this article describes some approaches European cities are taking to encourage revival. In political news, Representative Paul Ryan has a…

Ingham County, MI As darkness falls upon what a friend of mine charitably calls “Jack-Ass Acres,” and as the promise of rain comes with the moving clouds at the end…

“Seeing, then, that such care is lavished on the body’s food, surely every care should be taken on behalf of our own children’s mother and nurse, in whom is implanted…

This USDA press release outlines recent efforts to offer more support to the local food movement. Meanwhile, this piece explains the importance of restaurants for cities. Lastly, this article reports that, apparently,…

From The American Conservative, my remembrance of Robert D. Stuart Jr., whose family knew oatmeal.

According to this piece, millennials have some interesting tensions in their political views. Meanwhile, this article bemoans the way that parking  has taken over cities. This article describes an epidemic…

“The greatest benefits will not bind the ungrateful.” Aesop’s Fables The farmer, finding a frozen snake, pitied him and placed him in his bosom to thaw. The revived snake, unmoved…

The humble squash bug is truly a remarkable creature. The neonicotinoid pesticides that play such havoc with the fragile bees and birds have no effect whatsoever on the resilient squash…

This article investigates tensions for Catholic businessmen trying to follow church social doctrine. Meanwhile, this piece describes a innovative local food option that is currently making its way from France…

“Passing their lives under exalted laws, Alone they recognize a fatherland And the sanctity of a home, and provident For coming winter set to work in summer And store their…

Situate the preference where it is, not where it isn’t.

In recent news, the Wasington Post's analysis of leaked data has shown greater legally indefensible activity by the NSA than previous thought. Meanwhile, this article criticizes the modern employee-employer relationship. Lastly, this…

This article laments the "intrusion of economics into everything else." Meanwhile, this piece highlights creative urban farm ideas from around the world. This article explains how some cities are finding…

“We must observe what parts of the land must be manured, how the manure is to be applied, and the best kind to use; for there are several varieties. Cassius…

In this story, the author describes a week of using calligraphy to send text messages. Meanwhile, this piece emphasizes the importance of "other cities." This article bemoans the disparity between…

This article make some interesting points while critiquing the entire left-right political spectrum. Meanwhile, this piece explains how a major British think tank has advocated a localist approach to politics. Lastly, this…

“But when children play the right games from the beginning and absorb lawfulness from music and poetry, it follows them in everything and fosters their growth…” Socrates, in Plato’s Republic,…

In this peculiar piece, the author describes her "internet hometown." Meanwhile, this piece describes how hospitals are starting to show interest in local and organic foods. Lastly, this article advocates a…

In political news, the Republican Party has chosen a new house majority leader. Meanwhile, this piece reports on the problematic archival systems in the federal government. This piece argues that future…

“Whoever it was who said that agriculture is the mother and nurse of all other arts was right, because when agriculture is faring well, all the other arts are strengthened…

This piece tells how one restaurant has found a less human dining experience is a more profitable one. Meanwhile, this article discusses the impact that the local food movement is…