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A tribute to my brother

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 […]

Every new beginning

While I would not have said this about myself 10 years ago, I apparently am flexible and optimistic. I find joy in the toil of life (Ecc. 2 & 3) and in keeping on keeping on. Life is short, and what is better than being helpful and productive?

Juneteenth is my jam

I 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 […]

Relient K Is Right About The Beauty Of Grace

The beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair.

Hope will spring this April

I 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.

“We Don’t Surrender Much”

A 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.

Going somewhere and becoming something

We can’t grow younger, but we can always be unfinished.

No platform is righteous, no, not one

There is no immaculate platform. All have been designed by someone or some team and restrict a user’s freedom in one way or another.

Some sligh history

It is sobering to consider that a Scottish immigrant family paid such a high cost for the Union.

An extraordinary Mother’s Day

I 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.

Death springs this April

Contrary to what politicians promise, we will not be “made whole” by stimulus checks, waived copayments, unemployment assistance, cheap loans, and the rest.