January 1990: I flew back home to Minneapolis after attending my father’s funeral in England. As the plane descended over Minneapolis my anxiety level rose, as it always did at this point in my journey back to the USA. Flying doesn’t bother me in the least. It was the thought of being questioned by an…… Continue reading When Fear Rules
Category: Resist
When Fear Rules
Posted When Fear Rules.
Inauguration Day 2017
Today, Inauguration Day 2017, I did my bit to support artistic expression and local beer. Artistic expression is constitutionally protected speech. Art can express compassion, empathy, inclusiveness, but it can be annoying, uncomfortable, nihilistic. A crucifix immersed in the artist’s urine is not my go-to artistic experience, but neither is mind-numbing kitsch. Many of…… Continue reading Inauguration Day 2017
Inauguration Day 2017
Posted Inauguration Day 2017.
My America
Today I waited at Cedar Riverside light rail station for a friend. We were going to walk and chat about our memories of the area. He, and his father before him, had attended the nearby Augsburg College. [See his blog post.] 100 years ago, the Cedar Riverside area of Minneapolis was the first American home…… Continue reading My America
Clinging To Decency
Spotted these on my walk through Uptown and around Lake Calhoun. LEGO, chalk, and Post-Its may be transitory, but the messages are enduring.
My Post-Election Microblog
https://twitter.com/TomPhase3/status/795997055781105668 In 1960, in a school playground in Northern England, boys were grabbing younger boys and demanding: “Nixon or Kennedy?” If you answered “Nixon” you got roughed up. All the boys were answering “Kennedy” so I answered “Nixon.” I was nine. My nephews are eight and nine. I wonder if last week’s election has inspired…… Continue reading My Post-Election Microblog
The Meaning of Shadows
This morning I photographed my shadow, firmly attached to me. Although it was almost noon, the sun was quite low in the sky. In 1847 Hans Christian Andersen wrote The Shadow, a short story that talks to the present time. Here’s the bare details: A man gave his shadow permission to leave and explore the…… Continue reading The Meaning of Shadows
The Meaning of Shadows
Posted The Meaning of Shadows.
A Strange Election
A strange thing happened today as I was jogging slowly round our neighborhood lake, Lake of the Isles. A diminutive older woman was trying to catch my attention. She announced proudly in a Russian accent that she was voting for the Republican candidate for President. “Very good, very good” she declared to prove her case. By…… Continue reading A Strange Election