Category Archives: General

2019 Year in Review

Posted on December 31, 2019 by smellincoffee

Well,  dear readers,  it’s that time of year again — for appraising one year’s progress and getting ready for another year’s goals.  I’ve had a fantastic year in my personal life  — paying off my student loans,  making huge strides … Continue reading →

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Top Ten Favorite Books, 2019

Posted on December 30, 2019 by smellincoffee

 Code Girls: The American Codebreakers who Helped Win WW2, Liza Mundy. Fun and informative, Code Girls follows the rapid growth of intelligence and crytography during WW2.   Absolutely fascinating! The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe, Steven Novella et. al. The best … Continue reading →

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(Most Of) What I Read in 2019

Posted on December 30, 2019 by smellincoffee

(“Most” because I forgot to keep track, so this just has the stuff I remembered to put on Goodreads. ) Politics and Civic Interest The Long Game: How Obama Defied Washington and Redefined America’s Place in the World, Derek Chollet … Continue reading →

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“The Night Before Christmas: The Musical”

Posted on December 23, 2019 by smellincoffee

A few weeks ago I shared my admiration of Alma Deutscher, a German-English musical prodigy who’s been writing operas since she was  in elementary school.  I recently encountered this video of her singing with her little sister, ‘reciting’ the classic … Continue reading →

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A Decade in Music

Posted on December 13, 2019 by smellincoffee

Marian recently posted a fascinating survey regarding the music we’ve listened to in the last ten years.     Considering how much I listen to music — constantly, unless I’m at work, sleeping, or reading —    it was a tough exercise to … Continue reading →

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Sunshine Award

Posted on November 27, 2019 by smellincoffee

Sarah of All the Book Blog Names are Taken has gracefully nominated me for a Sunshine Blogger award, with the implication that I spread sunshine to the blogging community. Well, shucks.     There are questions that I’m meant to answer, and … Continue reading →

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White Cliffs of ‘Bama

Posted on November 24, 2019 by smellincoffee

For a while now I’ve wanted to visit the White Cliffs of Epes, Alabama,  which were created around the same time as the far more famous White Cliffs of Dover.   Today was a beautiful autumn day that begged for some … Continue reading →

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1899 Questionnaire (via Classics Considered)

Posted on November 17, 2019 by smellincoffee

Last week Marian of Classics Considered posted a survey which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle participated in — a Victorian meme, if you will.  (He didn’t participate in her survey, because he’s dead, but — you know what I mean.)  Its … Continue reading →

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Armistice Day – Never Forget

Posted on November 11, 2019 by smellincoffee

As well as it is to honor veterans, let us never forget the original meaning of this date, November 11th. 101 years ago the guns fell silent in Europe, and the great horror of the First World War ended. Twenty … Continue reading →

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Before and After “Break Up With Your Phone”: A Mindfulness Exercise

Posted on October 12, 2019 by smellincoffee

Wednesday, October 2 2019  I’m about to read How to Break Up With Your Phone, and as an exercise in mindfulness,  I wanted to share my thoughts both before and after. I believe I have a healthy relationship with my … Continue reading →

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