|
|
|
|
So glad you have signed up to receive the For Random Learning Comes Newsletter! This is the one hundred and tenth edition.
|
Well, I didn't think we could have any more distressing political news than the last debate, but this weekend has outdone it. There has been an attempt on Trump's life and his top secret documents case in Florida has been dismissed.
|
Like many of you, I'm still processing and waiting to see what's next. I hope all of you are safe and well and trying to stay sane in the midst of all this craziness.
|
I have two pieces this week. My brand new essay is called Florid: In Defense of Flowery Language, and it is my complaint about the modern penchant for cutting so much from writing. I like the natural feel, when writing follows an author's style rather than the editor's idea of what the market wants.
|
My second piece is about the recent debate and is called Gray Galleons. I pitch the two old men against each other as decrepit Spanish Galleons, fighting for supremacy on the high seas. I put in an allusion to the recent Immunity case at the Supreme Court, to set the stage.
|
My novel has been neglected recently, in favor of some volunteer work I have been doing. I am also trying to take some of the work from my website and reformat it. This is proving less simple than you might expect. Anyway, wish me luck!
|
I did have the delight of going to two writerly events this weekend. One was a chat at River City Writers hosted by Claudia Oltean. It was about cozy mysteries with Author Sharon E Buck.
|
The other was a Happy Medium Books Cafe event hosted by Brooks Decker, who is also hosting JaxbyJax later this fall. We heard readings from writers Jeff Knapp, Suni Storm and Damon Thomas. These writers can be all found on FaceBook.
|
In case you write and also have a connection with Jacksonville, be sure to submit to JaxbyJax at the link above. They are accepting submisssions until July 31, with a projected event date in November sometime. On the event date, selected authors and poets will read their work.
|
Even if your work is not accepted, the event is free and well worth attending to hear the latest voices from NE Florida and its expat fans. I've already submitted mine, yet another reason my novel stands neglected. Fingers crossed!
|
Stay cool and have a great couple of weeks! If you know of anyone else who might be interested in receiving this newsletter, please forward it and send them to my website, linked in the logo above, to sign up!
|
|
|
|
|
|
So Close and Yet So Far
|
|
This essay discusses the Semiquincentennial celebration and compares it with Fourths of Years gone by.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drawing
|
|
A poem on redistricting, the drawing of new districts to serve the ruling party's political purposes, with the blessing of the Supreme Court and with enthusiasm unchecked by either the people's will nor the State's Constitutional provisions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attempt
|
|
A poem describing the swirling emotions on and offline provoked by the attempted assassination of President Trump at the dinner for the press. Caveat: I do not doubt the attempt on his life was real. P.S. The photo is an attempt at beauty.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approaching May 1st, 2026, Anniversary of The Great Fire, Jacksonville, FL
|
|
A poem about a very dry spring in Florida which calls to mind the terrible fire which consumed Jacksonville early in the 20th century.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Smiles
|
|
This poem analyzes the loss of reputation of the US in the eyes of its closest allies, and the attitude it projects, about that loss.
|
|
|
|
|
