In the old dormitory bull sessions, if the subject of happiness came up, someone would be sure to use the old trope of the contented cow in the pasture. The cow certainly experienced something like pleasure, but could a rational human being agree with the cow?
Several decades ago, we discovered an Italian version in Luciano Bugialli’s excellent The Fine Art of Italian Cooking, which is actually a book on Florentine cuisine.
Three quite different poems on the New Year, by Richard Wilbur, Kenneth Patchen, and Lord Tennyson
The child is only four, but neighbors are already beginning to ask why he isn’t in school.
On June 5, 1999 in Washington, D.C. I spoke at a demonstration, near the Vietnam War memorial, of many thousands of people protesting President Clinton’s decision to bomb Serbia.
It has been said that there can be no true Christian tragedy, because even in the midst of death, there is always the possibility of a happy ending in the next world. This is to misconceive both the nature of tragedy and the nature of the Christian faith.
In this Christmas season, I submit for your consideration three men, perhaps not so wise, bearing gifts of wholesome entertainment. This first king of the early cinema is known by almost everyone, even if they’ve never seen a frame of his films: Charlie Chaplin
Until then, gentle reader, have yourself a Merry Christmas of old.
