"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife." Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice Who's got your back, Jack? Well, God for starters. Add in various family members (mom's usually at the top of this list) and your dog (get one… Continue reading A young man’s best friend
JOY JOURNAL BLOG
Melon-berry-‘mater-mint salad
“Freelance' means I can take watermelon breaks and no one can yell at me.” Mandy Ashcraft, American sci-fi writer There are sweet watermelon salads -- think the classic July 4 combo of watermelon, banana slices and blueberries. And, there is this salad, which is simply the best I've ever tasted. Oops! Forgot the strawberries in this… Continue reading Melon-berry-‘mater-mint salad
Let sleeping dogs lie
"Summer afternoon -- summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." Henry James, American novelist Miles, our Appalachian porch dog, is sound asleep in the window seat next to me. This time, thank God, he has his back to the window instead of the hardwood floor… Continue reading Let sleeping dogs lie
The sole source of joy
"You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience." Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, French philosopher, priest, scientist They will soon be here. A bit like a monarch, but think bigger stripes and black and white instead of black and orange. Zebra swallowtails… Continue reading The sole source of joy
Refrigerator Pickled Peppers
"It takes a sour woman to make a good pickle." Michael Chabon, "The Yiddish Policemen's Union" It was a case of pantry envy. I was writing a story about low-tech ways of coping with the impending doom many people feared would accompany the year 2000 because of possible computer meltdowns. We walked down to the… Continue reading Refrigerator Pickled Peppers
