I’ve been contemplating mortality lately – a natural thing, I suppose, as one progresses along the human timeline. But I have been experiencing rapidly increasing reminders lately, and it’s starting to feel a little uncomfortable. Just this week, for example, I attended the 100th birthday of a dear friend and… read more >
Just before Christmas of 2017, the Black Hills of South Dakota suffered it’s third largest wildfire ever, burning 54,023 acres of forest and prairie. That’s more than 84 square miles. You probably didn’t hear about it because the massive California fires – which pre-dated this one (and continued long after)… read more >
One of my earliest memories of my father was his boast that he had gone to graduate school with Martin Luther King, Jr. In fact, Rev. King was revered in our house, and his prominence in the media of the 1950’s and sixties as he conducted his freedom crusade throughout… read more >
Thomas Jefferson famously stated, “I cannot live without books”. In fact, this quote is so well-known that you can find it on tote bags and coffee mugs, and it is the motto of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association. Unfortunately other lifestyle choices, including a proclivity for fine French wine and… read more >
The first time I visited my future father-in-law’s study I was struck by two things: the enticing collection of history books that filled the shelves (surprising to me, since he was the Dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of South Dakota and long-time theatre professor –… read more >
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I mean, really! What’s the point? They would only end up in the proverbial dustbin of history anyway, so why torture myself? But I am in agreement that at this time of year it seems appropriate to take stock, ruminate about the year just… read more >
Have you ever wondered why Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus in December, especially since scientists determined long ago (based on celestial charts) that he was actually born in the Spring? It probably comes as no surprise that I view nearly everything through the eyes of a historian, and that… read more >
Do you know what your curiosity quotient is? OK, I don’t either, but the very name intrigued me when I ran across a book with that title and was – well – curious. It seems this all started with author and journalist Thomas L. Friedman, who postulates an entirely unscientific… read more >
Across this great country of ours communities have embraced the concept of Public Art, or art for all. In New Mexico they paint murals on water towers. In my home town of Rapid City, South Dakota, we have “Art Alley” where ever-changing graffiti festoons a previously derelict city alley. We… read more >
Blogging can be rewarding and is certainly intellectually stimulating. But there are times, like 4:45 pm yesterday, when disaster strikes. That’s when I discovered news that contradicted everything in the blog that I had scheduled to be published in a little more than 24 hours. I had been so happy… read more >
