thinking about whatever is true, noble, right, and pure
As I write this, it is still Hunter’s birthday, October 7. We have a few hours left. I have resisted returning to the family eulogy from Hunter’s memorial service, but it seems appropriate to post it today. You’ll find my notes below. I have added the few extemporaneous comments that were not in my original […]
Read More A tribute to my brotherI am optimistic about our national recognition of Juneteenth for a number of reasons. Let me explain. Juneteenth is a helpful corrective to the hagiography of the founding era, including our founding documents and the individual founders. July 4, 1776, can rightly be referred to as our conception in liberty, but that’s about it. There […]
Read More Juneteenth is my jamThe beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair.
Read More Relient K Is Right About The Beauty Of GraceI don’t think that death springs this April, despite the new Covid wave in Europe and Brazil and despite the impacts of new variants. We do have hope.
Read More Hope will spring this AprilA number of Michigan infantry regiments participated in the battle of Stones River, but this post is about the First Regiment of Michigan Engineers and Mechanics who happened to take an active role in combat on January 01, 1863, at Lavergne, Tennessee.
Read More “We Don’t Surrender Much”We can’t grow younger, but we can always be unfinished.
Read More Going somewhere and becoming somethingThere is no immaculate platform. All have been designed by someone or some team and restrict a user’s freedom in one way or another.
Read More No platform is righteous, no, not oneIt is sobering to consider that a Scottish immigrant family paid such a high cost for the Union.
Read More Some sligh historyI am thinking about my mother this morning. This is her first Mother’s Day with a child in heaven. There won’t be a traditional family gathering today. Her mother is in a rest home that is prudently not allowing visitors. The 2020 versions of these special days are not flattering.
Read More An extraordinary Mother’s DayContrary to what politicians promise, we will not be “made whole” by stimulus checks, waived copayments, unemployment assistance, cheap loans, and the rest.
Read More Death springs this AprilCharles E. Belknap’s book, The Yesterdays of Grand Rapids, is full of rich, historical vignettes. He provides glimpses of what life was like in Grand Rapids during the mid-nineteenth century.
Read More Charles E. Belknap: “The Pioneers’ Winter Food”