I have had my head deep inside the mysteries from the Roman Imperial period in preparing this talk. I don’t really give any sort of public talks or lectures, so this breaking new ground for me. I will have another post soon with my reflections on all this. Here is Ranty Wilberforce’s blog post ..read more

Just to be clear – by pointing out the parallel, I am not predicting that the United States will certainly swing back into a Fascist or Nazi style future where minority groups will be subject to mass extermination (although I can’t say that I would rule that out). I am also not saying that Progressive goals are worthless. But I think it’s a mistake to think that once a fight toward equality is won that it has been won forever. Legal protections don’t mean social acceptance. The openness of one generation on an issue doesn’t guarantee that their grandchildren will feel the same way. Hard times ..read more

The last time anyone saw the girl She was under the languid boughs Of a weeping willow not too far from the path Though some say they still hear her sing and laugh While a faint tin whistle plays ..read more

I happen to have had many other encounters with Gods and Goddesses, and this is what keeps me connected to my religious path. It seems to me that atheist Pagans miss the most essential part of being a part of the religion (or the religious tent) of Paganism. If the Gods and Goddesses are just “ideas”, then perhaps they can just be dismissed. But if you only encounter them as ideas, you have missed the unique and powerful experience that Polytheist practice can provide. I don’t think agnosticism about what happens after death is incompatible with Polytheism.  My general view is that we sho ..read more

This is a wandering set of questions without many definite answers. I am still working it through in my own mind. But it is not a subject I hear discussed very often. I would love to know other people’s thoughts on this, particularly if your practice includes devotions and offerings. with this very theme. They have collected a talented group of writers who post there and the content is often thought-provoking and challenging ..read more

This was supposed to be a letter of encouragement. I hope that it works to encourage you, in some small way, to appreciate what you have at Macalester and to not be afraid of what comes next. My years since Macalester have been filled with things I never would have imagined when I was a student. My career, my main relationship, my friends, and my hobbies are not at all what I might have pictured, but on most days, I count myself happy and lucky. Macalester experience will help you with the process of thinking certain things through. You will be able to recognize when friends or organizations a ..read more

My Heart is Open to You If you’re more ambitious and/or skilled, fix up your home. Get a do-it-yourself book from the used bookstore and take on a project. And finish it. Take your quality of life into your own hands. . Much of this has been driven by those with a high school education or less, and admittedly, I don’t fall into that category (I have a bachelor’s degree ..read more

“A party without cake is just a meeting” – Julia Child There was a party. There were about 20 guests in an apartment, split between The living room, the dining room where the food was laid out, and of course the kitchen. Everyone always gathers in the kitchen. A few smokers ducked out onto the ..read more

I am starting a new creative project and I wanted to invite you along. My plan is to post short vlogs each Sunday on a variety of topics. When I have a little more content, I will sort into playlists, so that people can track certain topics they are interested in following. I started with ..read more

As I am coming to the end of my January experiment, I feel like I can share it. I set out to go through the entire month of January without buying anything. I still paid my mortgage and utilities. I stocked up on a number of things like perishable groceries, and I filled my tank ..read more