Gore Vidal is a breath of fresh air for me the last couple of days. He was an acerbic, clear, incisive public intellectual.

Last night I pulled out his collection of essays, United States: Essays 1952-1992.

Some passages  I marked:

The creation of a work of art, like an act of love, is our one small ‘yes’ at the center of a vast ‘no.’  from the essay, “Novelists and Critics of the 1940s,” originally published in New World Writing #4, 1953

The only purpose for which power can rightfully be exercised over any member of a civilized community against his will is to prevent harm to others John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, quoted by Vidal in the essay, “Sex and the Law” originally published in Partisan Review 1965

There is no position so absurd that you cannot get a great many people to assume it. from Sex and the Law” originally published in Partisan Review 1965

At any given moment, public opinion is a chaos of superstition, misinformation, and prejudice. from Sex and the Law” originally published in Partisan Review 1965

Those last two quotes seem to be very pertinent to the present chaotic moment in the US.

Here’s the video I am working my way through. It’s from 2008. In the last years of his life I think Vidal had some clear insights into the collapse of the American Empire we are living through.

How the KKK birthed new extremist groups in Michigan

This Lansing State Journal article by Krystal Nurse will probably appear in tomorrow’s Holland Sentinel. It was on the website today (which I check daily instead of looking at the paper). Some valuable information about the hate groups in Michigan.

Untitled, a poem by James Baldwin

Finally on his birthday, a poem by Baldwin. This was on Facebook and the last four lines (!) were omitted.

Another tune I love.

Eileen and I went out to eat again today after church. I’m hoping that eventually we can skip the church on Sunday and just go out to eat.

I finished The Killing Hills by Offutt a few days ago. I’m afraid I can’t recommend this one. The writing is competent. But the story is pretty pedestrian. It does read like a TV series.

Our local library has a good selection of Graphic Novels. I like to just grab a handful and bring them home to read.  I’m pretty sure I have read Daniel Clowes The Death-Ray before. But It bears rereading. It’s a bit dark, but I liked it.

Stumbled on to a full video of “Gore Vidal: The United States of Anxiety” on YouTube this morning. I do love Vidal. It makes me want to go back and read some of his stuff.

Last Sunday, Eileen and I waited for 45 minutes for a table at The Biscuit, had a nice lunch, then went to Meijer to grocery shop. Today, we opted for The Curragh. It was a beautiful day to eat outside. No grocery shopping today even though I still find myself with more energy than usual on Sunday morning.

My daily regimen of 25 sit-ups used to be a “near-death” experience for me. But for the last few days, this has not been the case. I feel like I could do more of them, But I have not added more and probably won’t.

On Saturday I had conversations with my daughter-in-law, Cynthia, in California and daughter, Sarah in the U.K. Cynthia called me and we had a pleasant chat. Eileen and I were scheduled for our weekly video chat with Sarah but Eileen was off gallivanting having lunch with her sisters and friends so Sarah was stuck with chatting with me. I think we both enjoyed it.

Is the pushback against ‘critical race theory’ rooted in misconceptions?

Female gymnasts use music while men gymnasts don’t — and the reason dates back a century – CNN

When women were first allowed to participate they apparently used live music (a pianist). Wow, who knew?

I’m listening to this right now. It definitely sounds better on my Bose speaker than the computer’s speakers.