late night musings: Recent Comments

Comment on Divorce was my destiny (A repeat for some)

Eleanor — 2011-05-15T03:38:25Z

I knew you for such a short time and you left big impression on me as a 12
year old. I like hearing about your life.
Take care, Eleanor

Comment on Growing older? You have company

the SeniorRita — 2010-08-30T18:35:46Z

Do you have thoughts on how it feels to be the oldest one at the party, in the room, in the neighborhood, in the church, in the car?

John:

It is a rare occasion when I am not the oldest in the room or anyplace else. But it is better than not being in the room or anyplace else. Then again, I take some comfort in knowing that those younger will have their turn in being the oldest in the room, neighborhood, church or car.

Comment on A different graduation day speech

Phillip wasserman — 2010-08-30T06:33:07Z

This is the awesome post. This is really knowledgeable post to all the students.

Comment on A different graduation day speech

Abacus India — 2010-08-05T05:36:25Z

Great info. I like all your post. I will keep visiting this blog very often. It is good to see you verbalize from the heart and your clarity on this important subject can be easily observed..

Comment on Nero Wolfe continues to speak - a quiz

George — 2010-08-03T20:37:37Z

Well you can sit there smugly knowing that I did not know any of them - save one. And I have not used that one in so long I am beginning to forget what it is!!

Postscript from John: If my computer screen were printed pages of a dictionary, I would have worn it out a long time ago.

Comment on I needed a computer fix (pun intended)

George — 2010-07-20T20:28:58Z

John, the following poem comes to mind (remember I am a MacGuy)

The Calf Path

Each day a hundred thousand rout
Followed this zigzag calf about
And O' er his crooked journey went
The traffic of a continent.

A hundred thousand men were led
By one calf, near three centuries dead.
They followed still his crooked way,
And lost one hundred years a day.
For thus such reverence is lent
To well-established precedent.

A moral lesson this might teach
Were I ordained, and called to preach.

For men are prone to go it blind
Along the calf path of the mind.
And work from sun to sun
To do what other men have done.

They follow in the beaten track,
And out and in, and forth and back,
And still their devious course persue,
To keep the path that others do.

They keep the path a sacred groove,
Along which all their lives they move.
But how the wise old wood-gods laugh,
Who saw the first primeval calf.

Ah, many things this tale might teach-
But I am not ordained to preach.

Sam Walter Foss, The Calf Path

Comment on Out of the mouth of Wolfe - a quiz

...liz — 2010-03-07T14:37:44Z

Thanks for the tough word challenge, John. Some of the books we enjoy most engage our brains as much as much as our imagination. Sounds like Stout is one of those subdolous (did I use that right?) writers. Gave a Kindle to husband for Christmas (best gift he says ever) and can look up definitions without leaving page. Saves lots of trips to computer/dict when attempting the meatier reads. Just thought I'd "broach the idea."

Comment on Martin Luther King: I Have A Dream - Repeat

Frances Thobois — 2010-01-18T20:08:25Z

Thank you for sending this on Martin Luther King Day. I agree that it is one of the greatest speeches ever given.

Comment on Early 1900s quiz

Carolee — 2010-01-07T15:23:26Z

Loved the quiz. We're going to take it with us to our Dinner Club this month and use it for after-dinner conversation. Thanks.

Comment on Another 1950s quiz

ann johann — 2009-08-02T14:56:52Z

Gave copy to Bob as he is recuping from open heart sx and this will keep him busy for a while.