I don't want books about beauty, I want books *of* Beauty. I don't want books about truth, I want books *of* Truth. I don't want books about goodness, I want books *made of* what is Good. But how many of us can even see the difference?

This is still big news here, along with The Exploding Whale.

Here I have a deeper reason yet for employing the sonnet form. For me it is an act of countercultural resistance. plough.com/en/topics/cult…

I need someone to explain the science behind Dad Sneezes. You all know exactly what I am talking about.

Friends, here’s a fresh poem for your Wednesday about seeing—and what happens when it happens to us. It’s called “Damascus Road.” Please enjoy, and share!

Elk, Oregon Coast

They say Minerva's owl takes flight at dusk And bears the countenance of Elon Musk, Hooting to all who'll listen what is true But which Pascal and Eliot long since knew.

Four glorious September roses from David Austin Roses: “The Poet’s Wife” “Lady of Shalott” “Roald Dahl” “Munstead Wood” These have all been blooming since spring. Plant good roses!

It is my (possibly flawed) working observation that the more people become domesticated, the more people become insane. Wildness, among many other things, is wellness.

At this hour, on this date, in 1931… C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien have their legendary conversation about God and Myth on Addison’s Walk, and then into the night at Magdalen College. “One of the single most important conversations of the 20th century.”

Every day I’m able, rain or shine, warm or cold, I walk down to swim in this pool at first light in the morning. It’s a little like getting baptized among the trout and dipper birds. Cold water heals, strengthens, preserves, and clarifies the mind and soul.

Sometimes I think that Time and Space are the two moving parts of a vast loom, and that the lives of all living things are threads being woven together in some intricate old folk art of God.

Some early afternoon reading with recommendations for interviews with Marly Youmans 🌿☦️✍️ New Verse Review James Matthew Wilson Paul J. Pastor Friday Links — Dappled Things dappledthings.org/deep-down-thin…

What’s happening? Wild chanterelles are happening.

I always think it lucky to find a cricket in the firewood. Cheerful little dudes! (Or in this case, a dudette, as she is a Mama Cricket.)

Many people don’t know that you can pickle mushrooms, but they are absolutely excellent. Simply dry sauté them until they let their water go, then pack them in a brine of your choice. You can water bath can them, or they can sit fresh-packed in the fridge for a couple months.

In a world of noise, the most beautiful melody might be playing right beside you and you would never hear it.

I just can't take seriously anyone who looks down their nose at Christian art or literature. We are living in a genuine American renaissance of that rich tradition--Fiction! Poetry! Painting! Sculpture!--and to indulge in some sort of dated cultural arrogance is very 2004.