Theodore Roethke

I have come to a still, but not a deep center,
A point outside the glittering current;
My eyes stare at the bottom of a river,
At the irregular stones, iridescent sandgrains,
My mind moves in more than one place,
In a country half-land, half-water.


I am renewed by death, thought of my death,
The dry scent of a dying garden in September,
The wind fanning the ash of a low fire.
What I love is near at hand,
Always, in earth and air.

-- Theodore Roethke, from “The Far Field”

Theodore Roethke

I have come to a still, but not a deep center,
A point outside the glittering current;
My eyes stare at the bottom of a river,
At the irregular stones, iridescent sandgrains,
My mind moves in more than one place,
In a country half-land, half-water.


I am renewed by death, thought of my death,
The dry scent of a dying garden in September,
The wind fanning the ash of a low fire.
What I love is near at hand,
Always, in earth and air.

-- Theodore Roethke, from “The Far Field”

Hugo Chavez and Latin America

Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan presidente and strong man, may lose an election? How did this become possible. I obviously haven't been following Latin America very closely. The New York Times reports that the region has been moderating in recent years, and that the success of countries such as Brazil has rendered Chavez and his left-wing radicalism vulnerable. Of course, Chavez has not lost yet, but if he does lose and actually leaves office, well, that must tell us something. I thought he had ruled himself president for life already. Hell, it was not too long ago when we thought that Chavez was hooking up with the Muslim jihadists!

(Source: Francisco Toro, "How Hugo Chavez Became Irrelevant" in The New York Times)

Hugo Chavez and Latin America

Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan presidente and strong man, may lose an election? How did this become possible. I obviously haven't been following Latin America very closely. The New York Times reports that the region has been moderating in recent years, and that the success of countries such as Brazil has rendered Chavez and his left-wing radicalism vulnerable. Of course, Chavez has not lost yet, but if he does lose and actually leaves office, well, that must tell us something. I thought he had ruled himself president for life already. Hell, it was not too long ago when we thought that Chavez was hooking up with the Muslim jihadists!

(Source: Francisco Toro, "How Hugo Chavez Became Irrelevant" in The New York Times)

for dinner

We are fast coming on seven o'clock, and I am debating whether I should have a pot pie for dinner, or if I should just skip it and have a big slice of red velvet cake. I'm not really hungry, having enjoyed a big roast beef lunch, but I could go for something sweet.

for dinner

We are fast coming on seven o'clock, and I am debating whether I should have a pot pie for dinner, or if I should just skip it and have a big slice of red velvet cake. I'm not really hungry, having enjoyed a big roast beef lunch, but I could go for something sweet.

Mr. Saturday Night

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Mr. Saturday Night

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