Category Archives: General

Destiny of the Republic

Posted on September 12, 2026 by smellincoffee

When put on trial for the assassination of President James Garfield, Charles Guiteau protested that he’d merely shot Garfield: his doctors had killed him. As crazy as Guiteau was — and his membranes were definitely scrambled — he may have … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday & Films Near Me

Posted on September 8, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt from Long and Short Reviews is “Films Filmed Near You”, and I think people will be surprised by how many there are. But first, WWW Wednesday! WWW Wednesday WHAT have you finished recently? Heroes, Stephen Fry. WHAT are … Continue reading →

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Another Truman Tease + STAR TREK DAY

Posted on September 7, 2026 by smellincoffee

Teaser Tuesday I am over halfway through Truman by David McCullough, and a chapter or so from finishing Heroes by Stephen Fry, his collection of stories about Heracles, Perseus, Oedipus, and other guys whose names end with -s. Also, Atalanta! … Continue reading →

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WWW+W Wednesday

Posted on September 1, 2026 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? The Unexpected President. WHAT are you reading now? Truman, David McCullough; Heroes, read by Stephen Fry. Beginning the audio version of Jayber Crow by Hovel Audio; I bought it years ago for a $1 … Continue reading →

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Teaser Truman

Posted on September 1, 2026 by smellincoffee

Truman was so poor after he retired as President they literally created the presidential pension for him. I fear this week may be a quiet one; while I am close to finishing off President Arthur, my chosen book for Harry … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Quotes from Brother Berry

Posted on August 31, 2026 by smellincoffee

Last night, shortly before going to bed, I saw the sad news that Wendell Berry had died. Brother Berry means a great deal to me, and has for the last fifteen years. I considered him our greatest living American, closely … Continue reading →

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August 2026 in Review

Posted on August 30, 2026 by smellincoffee

I don’t think I can finish The Unexpected President tonight, and even if I finish it tomorrow I’d be unlikely to post a review until September….so here’s a rare Sunday post! August was a dreadful month, weather-wise, with life-draining and … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday

Posted on August 26, 2026 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? Greek Ways: How the Greeks Created Western Civilization, Bruce Thornton, and James Garfield, Ira Rutkow. WHAT are you reading now? Just began The Unexpected President, a history of Chester Arthur. Still pecking at The … Continue reading →

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Ten Bookish Spaces

Posted on August 25, 2026 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is ‘bookish places’, which will be a hard one, but let’s see what I manage. But first, the Tuesday Tease! “A little polis living orderly in a high place is stronger than block-headed Nineveh,” the Assyrian capital destroyed … Continue reading →

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Dark Mirror

Posted on August 21, 2026 by smellincoffee

The memory of thirty years ago is hazy, but I can look back through it and see one moment of clarity: my best friend Gil and I walking around during lunch period (we always skipped lunch in favor of roaming … Continue reading →

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