Category Archives: General

Top Ten Books Set in the Snow

Posted on December 9, 2025 by smellincoffee

Today’s TTT is “books set in snowy places”. Well, that rules out anything in Alabama! But first, a couple of Tuesday Teases from The Battle Cry of Freedom, by James McPherson. “Soon after dawn on February 16, Buckner sent a … Continue reading →

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A Fine, Quiet Sunday Morning in December….

Posted on December 7, 2025 by smellincoffee

Today’s annual remembrance of the sneak attack at Pearl Harbor has an especially salient echo given that it’s a Sunday. I am reminded of Captain Billy Mitchell’s interwar warning, quoted in The Airman’s War by Albert Marrin. By chance, I … Continue reading →

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The Book of Common Prayer

Posted on December 3, 2025 by smellincoffee

The Book of Common Prayer is the heart of the Anglican communion, and for my money contains some of English’s best phrasing outside Shakespeare and the Bible. Since 2011, its liturgy has been part of my life, its phrases embedded … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday & Earliest Memories

Posted on December 3, 2025 by smellincoffee

Today’s prompt from Long and Short Reviews is, what is your earliest memory? More on that story in a few minutes! First, let’s check in with…. WWW Wednesday WHAT have you finished reading recently? The Book of Common Prayer by … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite December Reads

Posted on December 2, 2025 by smellincoffee

Teaser Tuesday (Man of Iron) If the story of Mayor Cleveland’s inaugural message to the city council had to be summarized with one fact it would be this: it so outraged his adversaries that midway through its reading there was … Continue reading →

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Of Shasta & Caspian

Posted on December 1, 2025 by smellincoffee

This past week I have been taking care of animals a county away, and have had plenty of time to make further progress on my Chronicles of Narnia audiobook experience. I am listening to the Audible versions, not the full-cast … Continue reading →

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Moviewatch, November 2025

Posted on December 1, 2025 by smellincoffee

I began the month with intentions of focusing on SF, but….well. Things got weird. Well, to be honest, they started with Xanadu so they BEGAN weird, but you’ll see. NOVEMBER Xanadu, 1980. XANADU! *clap-clap-clap* XANADU!  *clap-clap-clap* XANADU!    Some dude … Continue reading →

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November 2025 in Review

Posted on November 30, 2025 by smellincoffee

Welcome to Advent! While today is only the last day of November, it does close the liturgical year’s longest season — Pentecost, or “Ordinary Time” — and begin the story of good news again. This morning, my Adult Formation class … Continue reading →

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The Muses speak not to spiritless silicon

Posted on November 29, 2025 by smellincoffee

Dear Leon and Charlie, In the story of the creation, God makes the world, and everything in it, in six days. On the seventh day he rests. The day of rest is significant because it suggests that the creation required … Continue reading →

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WWW Wednesday & Long and Short Prompt

Posted on November 26, 2025 by smellincoffee

WHAT have you finished reading recently? “Shadowlands“, a play about CS Lewis, Joy Davidman, and suffering. I’m also fairly close to finishing The Horse and His Boy, I think. I say “I think” because I am listening to the audiobook, … Continue reading →

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